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A graduate of
Kirtland's first class, 42-3, John Leslie Latham, Jr. was another recipient of
the DSC. Details of the citation accompanying the award had not been made known,
however, a news clipping provided the following information about the mission flown
sometime in October 1943:
About
two months later (after August 17, 1943), on a mission to bomb a German ball bearing
plant, Latham was wounded in the hips and legs. Despite his wounds, he was able
to drop bombs on target.... On the way back to England from that mission, Latham
was wounded again in the same general area of his body. The plane's navigator
was killed during the raid and the assistant navigator wounded. Latham, even
though wounded, helped chart the course home."
John
was recalled for Korean War duty after which he reverted to Reserve status and
attained the rank of Colonel upon his retirement. He resides in Greensboro,
North Carolina.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS