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Major (USAF Ret.) William M. McClendon, (1918 - ), was born
in Troy, Oklahoma on August 8, 1918. Upon graduation from Millcreek High School in
1936 he enlisted in the Army Infantry and was assigned to "K" Company 1st
Infantry at Ft. Warren, Wyoming. He was reassigned to the Army Air Corps in 1939 as an air
mechanic and parachute repairman. He applied to and was accepted to Officer Candidate
School in Miami, Florida. He completed the course in 1942. In 1943 Lieutenant McClendon
was sent overseas to Moresby, New Guinea to help form the 35th Fighter Group. (P-38's) His
duties included Assistant Adjutant, Personnel Officer, and Sensor Officer. He was then
sent to help form the 475th Fighter Group in Dobodura, New Guinea and was assigned to the
433rd Fighter Squadron in duties as stated above.
On September 11, 1944 Lieutenant McClendon was assigned to the Second
Emergency Rescue Squadron as an Assistant Adjutant. He remained with the Second until the
war ended when he returned to the United States where he remained in the Air Force for 24
years when he retired at the rank of Major.
Mr. McClendon then worked construction as
a steam fitter and then as a nuclear Instument Inspector for JOHNSON CONTROLS of Poteau,
Oklahoma.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS |
Pacific Theater (WWII) (1943 -
1945)
Wright Patterson AFB (1945 - 1946)
Miami, Florida (1946 - 1948)
Oklahoma City (1948 - 1951)
Patrick AFB (1951 - 1953)
Korea (1953 - 1954)
McCord AFB, Washington (1954 - 1960)
Retired (July 1960) |
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