Military Veterans
Elwood (Bud) Satterthwaite
Date of Birth
28 April 1927
Date of Death
27 February 1945
Brick Location
Eagle Side
Panel Number
15B
Biography
A World War II Army Air Corps gunner, Staff Sergeant Bud Satterthwaite was killed on 27 February 1945. He was Left Wing Gunner on a B-29 Bomber in the Pacific. He made 8 missions over Japan and shot down two Japanese planes.
Included in his awards are the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of theUnited States Armed Forces. It is also the third highest award given for valor (in the face of the enemy).
The Silver Star may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions:
- In action against an enemy of the United States
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party
A short history of the Purple Heart.
On 7 August 1782, George Washington created the Purple Heart, America's oldest military decoration. Washington called the award the Badge of Military Merit.
The badge permitted the wearer to pass sentinels without challenge. Only three soldiers—Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr—are known to have received the award during the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolution, the badge fell out of use. In 1932 the military revived the decoration to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The Order of the Purple Heart is now awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in action. The modern medal has a bronze heart bearing Washington's silhouette in its purple center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.
Branch:
U.S. Army Air Corps
Awards and Medals
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Years
World War II
Duty
Left Wing Gunner on B-29 Bomber in the Pacific - Saipan