pic from Advanced Flying School Army Air Forces , Phoenix, AZ - Luke Field, class 43-I book (from fold3 website)

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

Vernon O. Wedul

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service ID # O-756760 ~ ASN# 17066985
393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group
Entered the Service from: Minnesota
Enlisted: Fort Des Moines, Iowa, April 11, 1942
Rank @ ToE: Private

Army Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of the United States under Army Regulations 605-10

Residence: Penington County, Minnesota
Nativity: Missesota
Education: 4 years of college
Occupation: Teachers (secondary school) and principals
Marital Status: Single w/o dependents
Born: 1920, Minnesota
Died: June 23, 1945

MIA
Garden of the Missing Army-Army Air Forces Tablet 51, Veteran 02
Site GPS: 49.358899,-0.85302
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Citations and Awards:

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 5 April 1917 have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or an opposing armed force, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict, as the result of acts of enemy or hostile opposing forces, as a result of terrorist attacks or attacks on peacekeeping forces since 28 March 1973, or by friendly fire in circumstance as described above.

Air Medal

The Air Medal, established by Executive Order on 11 May 1942 and amended by Executive Order on 11 September 1942, is awarded to a person who, while serving with the United States Armed Forces, has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may recognize single acts of heroism or merit, or may recognize sustained meritorious service over a period of six months or more. The Air Medal primarily recognizes personnel on flight status requiring frequent participation in aerial flight. It may be awarded to personnel not on flight status whose duties require frequent flight other than in a passenger status. The Air Medal ranks behind the Distinguished Flying Cross in order of precedence.

Oak Leaf Cluster
An oak leaf cluster is a miniature metal device worn by members of the seven uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons issued by the United States Army, Air Force, and Department of Defense to denote subsequent decorations and awards. It is bronze or silver in appearance, formed as a twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem. The bronze oak leaf cluster represents one additional award, while the silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters.

© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2011-2012-2013 > 2014 > All rights reserved

Garden of the Missing. To the left are the Army ~ Air Forces tablets, to the right, mid wall, are the Navy and Coast Guard tablets.

Vernon's Tablet directly ahead, just right of the sidewalk to the wall.