Background and history of 2Lt Meek and his delayed Purple Heart Medal and presentation ceremony:
On May 8, 1944 (61 years and three days earlier) 2Lt William H. Meek was a member of the 573rd Squadron of the Army Air Corps 391st Bomb Group. He was co-pilot on a Martin B-26 medium bomber (serial no. 42-95829) over France when his plane came under intense enemy fire from German guns. One engine was shot out forcing Meek and his crew to “hit the silk” in a bailout over enemy territory. As luck would have it, Lt. Meek parachuted right into enemy hands when he landed scant yards away from a German barracks. He was immediately taken prisoner. The landing resulted in Lt. Meek seriously injuring his foot and ankle which required immediate medical attention. His captors rendered what aid they could until adequate medical attention could be arranged. It was off to a series of German POW camps for Lt. Meek and many other prisoners who were shuffled around in France after the D-Day landings by the Allies.
Eventually, Lt. Meek was released from captivity and returned to England where his unit was based. After a lengthy hospital stay he was returned to the United States and released from active duty as the war came to an end. There the story rested until many years later when his friend and neighbor, Col. Phyllis Luttman, USAF (Ret.), learned of his combat related injuries and that he had never been awarded the Purple Heart. Immediately she gathered the facts and presented them to the local office of Congressman Gene Taylor, a true champion of the military and those who serve in uniform.
Congressman Taylor took up the cause and worked to correct a sixtyone year oversight on the part of the military. His efforts secured a much deserved Purple Heart for Lt. Meek for his war related injuries. The culmination of the efforts of Congressman Taylor and Col. Luttman came with the presentation of the Medal to Lt. Meek by Gen. Lord at our May luncheon.
In conjunction with the presentation Mr. Meek was also welcomed into our chapter as its newest member. Our chaptert offers 2nd Lt Meek a hearty “welcome aboard” and a sincere 'thank you' for his personal efforts in the air war over Europe to return peace to the world over sixty years ago.
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