DFC for World War II Airman

William Wrenn, a B-24 bomber pilot during World War II, has posthumously received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a reconnaissance mission over the Philippines that he and his crew carried out prior to the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. Despite enemy anti-aircraft fire, Wrenn, then a first lieutenant and the co-pilot, and his colleagues provided valuable intelligence on the location of Japanese warships. The mission was classified all these years; that’s why it took so long for Wrenn to receive his rightful recognition. In a cruel twist of fate, Wrenn died Feb. 7 in Columbus, Neb., as Air Force officials were on their way from Offutt AFB, Neb., to present him with the DFC, reported the Columbus Telegram. His wife Evelyn took possession of it on her husband’s behalf. (Includes Offutt report by SSgt. James M. Hodgman and SSgt. Richard Williams)