Hometown Heroes radio host Paul Loeffler interviews WWII veteran, Phillip R. Starr, during U.S. and world history class for the newest episode, April 6.
Hometown Heroes is a radio program that honors men and women primarily from WWII with interviews. Paul Loeffler travels around the country connecting with veterans to be able to share the first hand stories of the men and women who partook in the war.
Phillip R. Starr was a ball turret gunner of a B-17 and flew 35 missions in the European Theater. During his interview, he shares combat stories with his large audience of FC history students. He explained the area he was confined to on the plane and described what emotions he felt when drafted into the war.
Phillip Starr shares about his safety as well as his faith during WWII.
“Naturally, if you were bleeding at all you needed to ask some one to help you,” Starr said. “He must have helped me a lot because I left without a scratch.”
Starr has been awarded several medals through his service; Air Medal and The Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross is America’s oldest military aviation award.
During the interview students are encouraged to ask questions if they have any. Several students asked Starr a variety of questions concerning topics such as emotions, faith, and personal events that happened.
The Central Valley Honor Flight is a trip to commemorate the sacrifice made by WWII and Korean War veterans. Donations make it possible to send the deserving men and women on a trip to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. Almost 800 veterans along with their travel guardians have been sent since establishing this program in 2013. Phillip R. Starr was one of the eager veterans to travel to their memorial through the Central Valley Honor Flight.
Check back with the Feather soon to read more about Starr’s experience during his time serving.
To read past Feather pieces regarding veterans try, Honoring veterans, Veteran George Hansen, CV Honor Flight changes perspectives and World War II veteran perseveres through injuries, overcomes battles.
For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2016-17.
