Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Among those inducted, Lt. Jg. George Kirk (represented by his son, Chris), is presented with a plaque by retired U.S. Navy Captain Tom Wimberly (also an inductee that evening). Kirk, who was an ace pilot for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II was credited with shooting down seven Japanese Zeros in the South Pacific and would later serve his country a second time in Vietnam. He now resides in Flour Bluff and is over 100 years old.
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Mark Creighton of Port Aransas, a well known commercial and residential builder on the island and local historian presents Becky Sparkman a plaque in honor of her aunt, Mary Jo (Farley) Tilton, who served as a WASP (Women’s Air Service Pilot) in World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, followed by another 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring a Lt. Colonel.
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Petty (left) presents a plaque to Staff Sgt. Russell Danford of Portland. He was also in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a gunner aboard an A-20 bomber who flew more than 50 missions over enemy territory – including Nazi Germany – during World War II.
Major Frank McCarley, U.S. Army (Ret.) presents Terry Holden of Aransas Pass a plaque honoring his father, posthumously. Lee Holden was a U.S. Army Sergeant during World War II and was seriously wounded and almost died on Salerno, an island off the coast of Italy as U.S. troops invaded Europe in 1944 as a prelude to Normandy. Lee Holden passed away in 2004.
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
KRIS-TV anchor Pat Simon (left) presents a plaque to retired U.S. Navy Captain Tom Wimberly of Corpus Christi who was a fighter pilot aboard 10 aircraft carriers where he flew and landed almost 800 times during his career. He helped bring the famed U.S.S. Lexington to the city.
Floyd R. Garrett, known to friends as ‘Doc’ (left), a Vietnam veteran, served in the U.S. Army and retired as a Captain. ‘Doc’ is a veterinarian and was responsible for military dogs used in combat. His wife, Beverly, presented Garrett with his honor. The couple live in Aransas Pass.
Courtesy: Sharon Warren
Ingleside Museum Honors Military Heroes
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