Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Raymond
Matt
Bank
POW (WWII)
March 15, 1924

–

Born:

Kendall

, 

Michigan

Home:

Kendall

, 

Michigan

During World War II, Raymond Bank became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down FIVE enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After scoring his fifth victory on March 2, 1945, he was shot down, captured, and held for the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War of the Germans. He subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, was activated during the Korean War as an instructor. He flew more than 100 missions in the Vietnam War before retiring in 1970 as a U.S. Air Force Major.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    364th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    March 2, 1945 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 39175

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond Matt Bank (ASN: 0-810457), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down by ground fire and captured by German forces on 2 March 1945, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    364th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond Matt Bank (ASN: 0-810457), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    364th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond Matt Bank (ASN: 0-810457), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.