B24 Commander John S. Simmons Jr., graduated from Blytheville Army Airfield, Arkansas, Class 1943-H. Lived in Danville, Virginia with wife, Virginia. Was part of 486 Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, 835 Bomb Squadron in 1944). Home Base: Sudbury, England (RAF Sudbury -Station 158), England, 5 April 1944 – August 1945). Flew 35 combat missions France, Belgium and Germany. Received Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918.")