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Show 6 Dec. 7, 1995 Hilltop Times After 50 years Medals awarded posthumously to vet's daughter stars. World War II Victory Medal by Jay Joersz Hilltop Times staff Fifty years after Capt. Charles G. Aldous earned most of his military awards, a ceremony was finally held to make the awards official The only problem is that the veteran of two wars received them only in spirit, as his daughter accepted them in his place. At a ceremony in the Hill Aerospace Museum in late October, Linda Aldous accepted a shadow box filled with medals and mementos of her father's years of service in the Army Air Corps and Air Force, from Col. Philip Liller, 75th Air Base Wing vice commander. Aldous, who served in the Air Force through 1953, had earned several high military honors during his missions in World War II and service in the Korean War, but had never been presented them before his death (due d to a illness) on Oct. 30, 1962. No one seems to know why the medals were never officially presented. More than 30 years after her father's death, Linda and her father's cousin, Ted Helsten, decided to start research- nf" 1 war-relate- Col. Philip M. Liller, vice commander of the 75th Air Base Wing, presents Linda Aldous with a shadow box filled with medals belonging to her father. a pilot and flight commander over Germany and France in World War II. She was also surprised to learn he piloted the very first plane over Normandy as he led a formation 55 missions as ing into Aldous' wartime history. After a year of research, Linda said she learned a whole different side of her father. "This past year has been a real eye opener," Linda said. "I am very proud of what he did. I had no idea of the things he did during the war, he never talked about it. To him, he was just doand that was it." ing his job Aldous learned her father had flown of bombers on As flight commander of the 1st Pathfinder SquadD-da- the ron, Aldous was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for his 11th mission. He separated from the service in July 1945 and returned to active duty in 1948 at the time of the Berlin Airlift and continued to fly with Strategic Air Command. After serving in the Korean War with the 27th Communications Wing, he finished out his career stateside until he separated from the Air Force in March 1953. Additional honors Aldous earned included the Presidential Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze and the Korean Service Medal. While serving in Korea he also received the Bronze Star. However, for some reason all the honors bestowed upon Aldous were only on paper and were never officially presented. Linda and Helsten decided to contact officials at Hill AFB to see about getting the medals to put in a shadow box. It was at this point members of the Military Personnel Flight took matters in their own hands. After ordering the medals, members of the MPF decided it would be proper to organize a special ceremony to present the medals properly. "After looking at the situation we thought it would be a nice thing for us to do, and we wanted to do it," said Maj. Manny Hildago, chief of the MPF. Linda accepted the box during the ceremony surrounded by many family and friends. But one special attendee was the bombardier on many of Aldous' missions. Gene Braverman, who flew in from out of state to be present and give a brief speech at the ceremony. Braverman credited Aldous with saving the crew of his bomber many times. "I'm very happy to have the shadow box, and have it displayed in my house," Linda said. "The base did a beautiful job. I thank everyone on base for their hard work and support in doing this and making it a very nice ceremony." ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS! Irerfec !7ace for the Lift Kits Driving Lites LPerfecl9ifi Brush Guards Bod Caps Running Boards Tool Boxes Financing 90 Days Same as c Cash O.A.C. OEEGGlETTJOIOI) Haro Mountain" Bikes Newused Alpine & Skis Univeaa W r WARN ENFORCER MOHAWK BUMPERS COMANCHE 31x10.50 LT R-1- 23585 R-1- From 6 I $892?., I r SNOWTIRES"! I CHANGE OVER I $11(895 I ding balance, most crt. lo other offer apply. I I fGRILL & From 4Xk3 95 NERFBARS From $99 95 BRUSH GUARDsT Mrri 23995 chrome I FrOTH KC ln-U- ne 1 95 Skates Fly Fishing Equipment rts Fleece Jackets Sorel Boots Sleeping Bags Paint Ball Climbing Equipment stem? as cash From fill rimhinn WtVtliMI Hikers 90 days same BED LINERS 1 ' Camping Gear Tents Back Packs Allstar down lavs away until Dec. 24 70 Hours: $QQ95 Ow Mon. - Thurs. 9-- 7 F'l. 9--0 Sat. 9--6 Sun. rrlt-HUNN- tH 10-- 5 CANYON SPORTS OUTLET LIGHT GUARD 1 HI-LIT- DRIVINGFOG KITS SOT ru I 1 I ROCKER PANELS 1 ?JJ I ninCDcn -- TAIL GATES Full & 5th Wheel 5 10 Ply I 1 & & I Starting From 95 Rg. $129.95 SALE74 685 SO. MAIN LAYTON, UTAH 546-321- 1 (Complete Line of Accessories for Your Truck) I For help with hazardous waste. call Ext. 7-- 3 1 24. |