Mapleton Navigator with 15th Air Force Awarded Air Medal
Fifteenth A. A. F. in Italy—Second Lt. Carl J. Couch, 19, Mapleton, Ia., navigator of a B-24 Liberator in the 15th air force in Italy, was recently awarded the air medal for “meritorious achievement during aerial flights over enemy territory.”
Since arriving overseas last October, he has participated in bombing attacks on aircraft factories and oil refineries in Vienna and German industrial installations at Blechhammer and Munich. Other targets he has bombed were airfields and railroad yards in northern Italy and southern Austria.
He is authorized to wear the distinguished unit badge as a member of a heavy bombardment group which has been cited by the War Department for “outstanding performance of duty in armed conflict with the enemy.”
Lt. Couch was graduated from Mapleton high school in 1943. After completing a course of navigation as an aviation cadet, he received his wings at San Marcos, Tex., last July.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Couch live in Mapleton.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 20, 1945
Carl James Couch was born June 9, 1925 to Earl J. and Lena Wohlert Couch. He died Sept. 15, 1994 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, IA.
Carl served with the U.S. Army in World War II. He also served in Korea.
Source: ancestry.com
