Louisville World War II Vet Honored for Service

LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Many say World War II bomber pilots has the hardest job during World War II.

The Louisville-Winston County Airport dedicated a facility to one resident who served on one of those bombers.

World War II veteran, Webb Pruitt Lee was a contingent with the 8th Air Force on a B-17 bomber, when his plane was shot down over Berlin, Germany.
“Good Lord you let me get up here now you got to let me get back down safe,” says Webb Pruitt Lee.

Lee survived the crash but sustained a concussion and internal injuries that kept him in the hospital for six weeks.

He says it was a letter from his wife and his strong faith that pulled him through.
“Pruitt you got to get home now. We got another one on the way so I knew I had to get home,” says Lee.

After all Lee has been through, the Louisville-Winston County Airport wanted to honor his sacrifice by placing his name on a new terminal.
“As I came in and saw the building name says W. Pruitt Lee well that’s when I broke down,” says Lee.

Hundreds of Louisville residents came out to the ceremony along with pilot, Mike Schiffer, who flies a 1938 FGID Course Air.

Schiffer loves flying but not as much as meeting World War II veterans.
“I’ve had guys that were 85 crawl up in and sit in my airplane and walk me through the three air plane that they shot down over the Pacific they don’t bring these stories out often and what they did is truly amazing,” says Mike Schiffer.

Airport Board President, Mike Forster says this event is not only a way to honor veterans but to show residents how much the Louisville airport impacts the community.
“80 percent of our traffic is business and economic development related we have jets coming in to this field every week we have major employees who are using jets to either to bring management to people in bringing customers in,” says Mike Forster.

Despite the increase in economic growth, Forster says honoring veterans is priceless.

“We wanted to say how special you are how much we appreciate you that there are still people who remembered the deeds you’ve done and the contributions you’ve made on our behalf,” says Forster.

A B-25 air craft was on site for individuals to get a chance to ride in the historic plane.

 

 

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