Gen. Gary North presents a medallion to Doris Avery, a member of the "Greatest Generation" to honor her efforts in World War II Feb. 5, 2010, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. General North presented the Noncommissioned Officers' Association World War II Veterans Medallion to Mrs. Avery for her heroic efforts. General North is the Pacific Air Forces commander. U.S. Air Force photo
by Tech. Sgt. Jerome S. Tayborn |
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii
(2/8/2010 - AFNS) -- The Pacific Air Forces
commander presented a medal to a member of the
"Greatest Generation" during a ceremony here
Feb. 5.
Doris Avery accepted the Noncommissioned
Officers' Association World War II Veterans
Medallion for her service as a lieutenant in the
Army Nurse Corps during World War II in the
PACAF Courtyard of Heroes from Gen. Gary North.
The medallion recognizes World War II veterans
who displayed valor, sacrifice and fidelity
during service.
Lieutenant Avery received her commission into
the Army Nurses Corps in 1943. After completing
air evacuation school, she was assigned to Air
Transportation Command South West Pacific
Theater Air Evacuation Squadron in September
1944.
As a flight nurse on medical air evacuation
flights, Lieutenant Avery amassed for than 800
flight hours. These missions often took place
over combat zones in the Eastern Mandate,
Western Pacific and Southern Philippines, where
she was subjected to possible interception by
enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. She
received an Air Medal for her actions.
Lieutenant Avery was joined by her husband,
Alden, and their daughter at the ceremony.
"This award is truly about service," General
North said. "We've got an incredible family
here, one that was called to duty by the needs
of the nation. We're very proud not to just
honor her service, but the service of the
thousands who served with her." |
