Richard Lloyd Wann
Military
Pilot
446th BG
findagrave.com
Object Number - UPL 32410 - Richard L. Wann Pilot 446th BG
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Flixton
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Elwood, IN 46036, USA | 9 May 1920 | |
|
Enlisted |
15 October 1942 | ||
|
Died |
Elwood, IN 46036, USA | 27 June 2005 | Richard Loyd Wann, age 85 of Elwood, died June 27, 2005 at Bethany Point Health Campus in Anderson after an extended illness. He was born May 9, 1920 at 915 South B Street, Elwood, Indiana. In 1952, he joined Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio where he worked as a Design Engineer. While at Firestone, he advanced from Senior Engineer to Division Manager, becoming responsible for all tire engineering worldwide except passenger vehicle tires. He became a world leader in design of all off-road tires and held several patents on his designs. He retired in 1982 from Firestone after 30 years of service. Since that time, he has done consulting work in heavy-duty engineering. Richard spent his childhood on a 40-acre farm in Boone Township where he helped with all types of farm work including plowing and planting. As a young boy, he was fascinated with airplanes and watched them every chance that he got. Dick graduated from Elwood High School in 1938 and was active in 4-H, Junior Leader, Rural Youth, Demonstration Team, School Play, and Vo-Ag Basketball. Following graduation, he farmed until he accepted employment with Delco Remy in 1941. During this time he also met his future wife, Ruth Procter. They dated for 4 ½ years before marrying on May 17, 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force on October 15, 1942 as an Aviation Cadet. While serving his country, he achieved the highest grades in Classification, Pre-Flight, Primary, Basic, and Advanced Flight Training. He also qualified eight aircraft, becoming a First Pilot and Crew Commander of the B-24 Liberator. As a pilot of the B-24, he was involved in heavy combat during WWII and was shot down during combat later to become a German prisoner of war at Heppenheim Prison Camp. After liberation of his camp in 1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart in Paris, France in April of 1945. He separated from the U.S. Air Force on December 10, 1945 after the surrender of Japan. He graduated from Purdue University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1950. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1952. He was honored as a Purdue Old Master in 1965. Richard was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Purdue University Alumni Association. He was also a member of the Second Air Division, the Eight Air Force Historical Society, the 446th Bomb Group, the Liberator Club, the Caterpillar Club & Association of the U.S., the American Society of Agriculture Engineers, the International Society of Automotive Engineers, the Knights of Pythias Frankton Lodge #315, the Elwood Community High School Alumni Assn., the Indiana Hoosier Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, and the Central Ohio Chapter #8 American Ex-Prisoners of War. While living in Wadsworth, Ohio, Richard was named “Citizen of the Year” in 1987. Later that year, Richard and Ruth returned home to live in Elwood. In August of 1993, Richard had the privilege to pilot a B-24, the “All-American” – the last operational B-24 in existence – flying from Valparaiso over the skies of Elwood and back to Muncie, Indiana as family and friends looked on. In 1998, the “All-American” was on exhibit at Marion Airport, and was privileged once again to pilot the B-24 with his niece, Brenda. In addition to his military, scholastic, and professional achievements, he was a devoted son and son-in-law; and he is a loving husband, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and great-great Uncle. As a survivor of quadruple bypass heart surgery in 1994, he was still active in family, community, and country. His patriotism is virtually unequaled. |
|
Enlisted |
Elwood, IN 46036, USA | 30 June 2005 | Elwood Cemetery Elwood, Madison County, Indiana, USA Plot R19, SIGLER |
Revisions
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Page 436 in the book 2ND AIR DIVISIONby Turner Publishing Company, 1998 edition (D790.A2S45)
