Harold "Hal" Culp

GIVEN FOURTH DECORATION

His fourth decoration for "meritorious service in aerial flight,"has been awarded to Lt. Harold (Hal) Culp, of Cedar Lake. A veteran of more than 40 fighter combat missions over Germany, Lt. Culp received a third Oak Leaf Cluster to be worn with the air medal he was awarded last November.

Lt. Culp, who is well known here, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Mattes, of Cedar Lake.

CEDAR LAKE BOY DIES IN AIR RAID OVER GERMANY

Lt. Harold Culp, son of Mr, and Mrs. John Culp of Cedar Lake, last Friday was reported killed in action by the war department, while on an air mission over Germany.

Hero of more than 40 missions over Germany, Culp, early this year was awarded the air medal and four oak leaf clusters. His outfit took part in many of the pre-invasion raids made over France and Germany.

The 24 year old officer, who was an only child, was a graduate of Hammond High, and formerly employed by the Indiana Harbor Belt railroad company. He was married to an English girl about three weeks before he took off on his last mission.

The Culp family have been residents of Cedar lake for several years, moving there from Hammond. The deceased was well known to many of the younger set here.