ENGINEER
T/Sgt Clarence A. LeMieux

Born December 24, 1916. Graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane Washington in 1934. He enlisted in the USAAF at Fort George Wright during 1935. First working on B-10 and B-12, and then B-17 bombers, he completed engine mechanic training at Chanute Field. Then, additional gunnery and supercharger schooling.

In the confusion of the days following the Pearl Harbor attack, he waited at Sacramento while their B-17 was armed and met Ann, who he would later marry before departing for Hawaii, then to Australia. Aboard B-17E 41-2446 served as engineer and top turret gunner on the February 22/23 mission against Rabaul.

Afterwards, due to a shortage of mechanics and spare parts, he worked to keep B-17 engines serviced at Townsville and spent a year in Australia. When he returned to the States, he was sent to Pyote Airfield (Rattlesnake) in Texas, and received a field commission. He stayed in the USAF, and was assigned to locations in the USA and world: England, Perto Rico, Philippines and Guam.

Retiring with the rank of Colonel, he lived in retirement in Spokane, Washington. He passed away peacefully on December 17, 2009.