Jack was the Commanding Officer of the 345th AIR APACHES

http://www.345thbombgroup.org/Strafers/2001/December2001.pdf

84 Combat Missions! Wendell D. Jack Decker, 85, died Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Jack Decker was born January 10, 1921 in Bluffton, Indiana and attended the University of Indiana for two years. He then answered his country s call. Jack received his wings in the Army Air Corps on April 29, 1942. He was assigned to the 340th bomb group in the Mediterranean Theatre. He flew the group s first mission on April 19, 1943. On his 35th mission, after an encounter with two enemy night fighters and anti-aircraft fire, Jack was forced to ditch. Jack related, Our B-25 dropped in just like a duck. Everyone made it. After his European services, Jack volunteered for duty in the Pacific. He was commanding officer of the 499th squadron of the 345th bomb group Air Apaches . The 345th was a strafer group where all missions were flown at minimum altitude. In early October 1944, Jack with 3 other B-25 s volunteered to attack 8 Japanese Destroyers and 6 troop ships in Ormoc Bay, Philippines. Jack received the Distinguished Flying Cross. After 84 combat missions, Jack and Major Pop Rice were given the honor, to represent all the men of the Army Air Corp, to meet and escort two Japanese Betty Bombers painted white with green crosses. This was known as the Last Mission of World War II . The Betty Bombers carried Emperor Hirohito s peace envoys. Wendell Dean Jack Decker s B-25, that historic day, was named Betty s Dream .

After discharge from the Army Air Corp in 1946, he moved to Jackson, Mississippi with his wife Leta DuPree Decker of Greenville, SC. He spent his entire career in the furniture industry. He was an avid golfer and bridge player and enjoyed the many friends and good times in the Senior Men s Group. Jack always loved his fellow man and was an inspiration and joy to be with. His infectious sense of humor will be missed.

Jack Decker was preceded in death by his wife, Leta DuPree Decker, and great grandson, Decker Monroe Shipp. He is survived by three children, two sons and one daughter: John Decker (Judy), Charles Decker (Pat), Ann Decker Snyder (Scott). His grandchildren are, John Decker, Jr. (Emily), Jennifer Decker Shipp (John), Dale Decker and Chris Decker (Emily) and his great grandchildren, Cate Rivers Shipp and Sheridan Shipp and one sister, Roma Vaughan of Bedford, Indiana.

Published in Clarion Ledger on Sept. 20, 2006 -

Wendell Decker