Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
Earl
Wrenn
MIA (WWII) KIA
1919-01-26

–

1943-01-07

Born:

Person County

, 

North Carolina

Home:

Durham

, 

North Carolina

Buried: 

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila (Wall of the Missing)

Joseph Wrenn was a member of Guyton Christopher’s Flying Fortress that crashed with the loss of six members of the crew missing in action in January 1943. Christopher himself received the Distinguished Service Cross for the final mission, and members of his aircrew earned a total of ten Silver Stars in actions from 1942 until the bomber was shot down. Wrenn himself earned two Silver Stars.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    64th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    43d Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (September 7, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joseph Earl Wrenn (ASN: 14034973), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a B-117 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Wrenn, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    64th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    43d Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 7, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 107 (May 31, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Joseph Earl Wrenn (ASN: 14034973), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a member of the Air Crew of a B-117 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, on or about 7 January 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal Wrenn, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.