Remembrance for a Naval Aviator
Posted for: JAMES CHARLES WONN:
Eleven awards were presented posthumously to Ens. James C. Wonn, a Naval Reservist who faced death twice.

Pilot-Bambadier Wonn's aircraft was hit while attacking "heavily defended targets" in South East Asia (Laos), February 17, 1968. With one engine on fire he swept in for a second strike but "intense anti-aircraft fire" brought him down as he started to climb toward home. For his skill, courage, and devotion to duty he was awarded several medals and citations including the Air Medal, the Navy Comendation Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam and Republic of Vietnam service medals.

After the war, Ensign Wonn's remains and those of his fellow eight crew members were recoverd from Laos in 1992 through 1993 and were intered with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetary on April 16, 1994.

On May 14, 2008, Ensign Wonn's Unit was presented the Presidential Unit Citation at a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Posted by: The Pittsburgh Post Gazette
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Friday, October 17, 2008
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