World War II Veteran Finally Recognized for His Heroism; Thanks to Cal Guard, Vet to Receive Distinguished Flying Cross.News Editors/Military Writers SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2001 The California National Guard The California National Guard is the component of the United States National Guard in the U.S. state of California. It comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. has found yet another World War II veteran who was never formally recognized for his heroism Heroism See also Bravery. Achilles Greek hero without whom Troy could not have been taken. [Gk. Lit.: Iliad] Aeneas Trojan hero; legendary founder of Roman race. [Rom. Lit. in World War II. Maj. Gen. Daniel Gibson This article is about the basketball player. For the Australian television presenter, see Daniel Gibson (presenter). Daniel Hiram[2] Gibson , California National Guard, will bestow be·stow tr.v. be·stowed, be·stow·ing, be·stows 1. To present as a gift or an honor; confer: bestowed high praise on the winners. 2. the Distinguished Flying Cross upon retired Sgt. Anson M. Riley at 1:00 p.m., June 14, at the Stockton Army Aviation Support Facility, 2000 Stimson Road, Stockton, Calif. Riley, who is currently fighting cancer, was the ball turret gunner in the aircraft "Destiny's Child  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. " when the plane was shot down over Leipzig, Germany in 1944. Riley was a prisoner of war PRISONER OF WAR. One who has been captured while fighting under the banner of some state. He is a prisoner, although never confined in a prison. 2. In modern times, prisoners are treated with more humanity than formerly; the individual captor has now no until June 6, 1945 when the war ended. Riley was the last man out of Destiny's Child as it dived from the sky. While his crewmates parachuted from the plunging aircraft, Riley continued firing the machine guns fighting off enemy aircraft and providing protective fire so that his crewmates could drift safely to ground. Using the turret's hand crank he hoisted himself from the ball turret and parachuted from the plane. He sustained two broken legs as he extracted himself from the turret and was in a full-body cast as a POW. The California National Guard's protocol office began gathering documentation necessary to obtain the award more than a year ago. Riley is one of seven combat veterans (many of whom may have gone unrecognized) that the Guard has helped since it accepted the additional duty in 1998. |
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