Carl Grady, Jr.
Awarded Oak Leaf and Air Medal
A former Lowell boy, S/Sgt. Carl Grady, of Hammond, an Eighth Air Force waist gunner on the B-24 Liberator "Airborne Angel," has recently been awarded an oak leaf cluster to add to his air medal. The citation reads in part as follows:"For meritorious achievement in accomplishing aerial operational missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. Sgt. Grady's actions reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the U.S."
The presentation was made by Col. A.W. Reed, commanding officer of the 491st heavy bomb group of the second bombardment division, commanded by Maj. Gen. William E. Kepner.
Sgt. Grady has flown 12 combat missions, participating in attacks on Cologne, Kassel, Mainz, Koblenz, Minden, and military installations in support of the Allied ground forces.
Sgt. Grady has been in the army 13 months. He received his wings at Harlingen, Texas, and completed his combat training at Tonopah, Nev. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Grady, Sr., live at 5111 Calumet avenue, Hammond.
The following June 7, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, columns 1-2:
Former Lowell Boy Wins 4th Oak Leaf Cluster
An 8th Airforce Liberator Station, England -- Staff Sgt. Carl Grady, Jr., an 8th air force waist gunner on the B-24 Liberator, "Airborne Angel," has recently been awarded a fourth oak leaf cluster to his Air Medal.The citation in part, reads: "For meritorious achievement in accomplishing aerial operational missions over enemy occupied continental Europe. Sgt. Grady's actions reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States."
He is a member of Col. A.W. Reed's 491st heavy bomber group of the 2nd air division commanded by Major Gen. William E. Kedner.
Sgt. Grady has flown 35 combat missions, participating in attacks on Cologne, Kassel, Hamm, Maitlz, Karlsruhe, Coblenz, Minden, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, and military installations in conjunction with the Allied ground advances.
Sgt. Grady has been in the army 12 months. He received his wings at Harlingen, Texas, and completed his combat training at Tonopah, Nev. He is a former student of Hammond high school. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Grady, live at 511 Calumet Ave., Hammond.
Carl formerly lived here with his parents, and was a student at Lowell grade school.
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