United States. An Air Medal To Staff Sergeant Lewis J. Huffaker, 17Th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 5Th Air Force

In bronze gilt, engraved "S/SGT LEWIS J HUFFAKER 17TH RCN SQ" on the reverse, measuring 42 mm (w) x 54 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, original ribbon with brooch pinback, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 17.2 mm (w) x 3.7 mm (h) enameled ribbon bar, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "AIR MEDAL" on the lid, light scuffing on the exterior, case near extremely fine.

Footnote: Lewis J. Huffaker was born on October 5, 1924 in Washington State. He grew up in Hoquiam, Grays Harbor, Washington and spent four years in high school before becoming a photoengraver. He enlisted with the United States Army on March 23, 1943 in Seattle and would serve in the Pacific theater during the Second World War with the United States Army Air Force, ultimately posted to New Guinea. Staff Sergeant Huffaker was the Flight Engineer aboard B-25D-25 "Little Joe", Serial Number 42-87281, one of a crew of six, which was assigned to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, 5th Air Force in New Guinea in early 1944. The remaining crew consisted of the Pilot, Second Lieutenant Walter "Ken" Kenneth Barber, O-773067, the Co-Pilot, Flying Officer Donald E. More, the Navigator, Second Lieutenant Tasos P. Dermousi, the Radio Operator, Sergeant Ned P. Stevens, and the Tail Gunner, Corporal James J. Brown. The aircraft was built by North American, delivered to the United States Army and ferried overseas to the Pacific. It was assigned to the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. It was nicknamed "Little Joe" at Hunter Field in Savanah, Georgia on the left side of the nose, along with small letters beneath it with the phrase "Hard to Hit". On the tail was the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron artwork and the lower portion of the tail was painted white. This B-25 first arrived in New Guinea in January 1944, personally assigned to Captain Jowell Wise, who shortly thereafter returned to the United States, in early January 1945, leaving the flying of the plane to Second Lieutenant Barber. The squadron was based on New Guinea and Biak, they flew reconnaissance missions over New Guinea, New Britain and the Admiralties, to provide target and damage-assessment imagery, along with bombing and strafing Japanese installations, airfields and shipping. On February 11, 1945, the crew of six took off from Hill Airfield at Mindoro on a strike mission against Coron City in the Philippines. Upon returning to land, the hydraulics were shot out and the crew had to lower the landing gear by hand. After landing at Hill Airfield, this B-25 ran into a ditch without brakes. The crew survived the landing, however, Second Lieutenant Tasos P. Dermousi had been Wounded in Action during the actual attack. The Pilot, Second Lieutenant Walter "Ken" Barber described the crash: "I was the last one to fly "Little Joe" a B-25 operating off of Hill Airfield (a dirt airstrip we called Hammer Tower). We crashed into a ditch in that there were no brakes. The hydraulics were lost, I believe probably shot out on a low level strafing and skip bombing mission over Coron City. The landing gear had been pumped down by hand and I made a no flap landing. We did manage to get on the ground. This occurred on February 11, 1945 on the Island of Mindoro." Afterwards, the damaged B-25 was written off. Staff Sergeant Lewis J. Huffaker, 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Air Force, United States Army Air Force was honorably discharged from the Army on December 30, 1945. He was married to Ethel M. Huffaker (born 1913) for thirty years, his wife passing away on August 23, 1982, aged 68-69. Lewis J. Huffaker died on September 22, 1988, at the age of 63, six years after his wife. Both were residents of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington and are buried in Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen.