In honor of our veterans. We hold you in highest esteem.
THANK YOU !
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| SSgt. Frank Bartlett 1942 |
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| S/Sgt. Frank Bartlett served in the 303rd Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Army Corps in WWII. As a tail gunner in a B-17, his plane was shot down over the Brest Peninsula on May 29, 1943. His pilot, Colonel Joseph Trojan, reported "S/Sgt. Bartlett had already completed his required 25 missions, but he went on his 27th mission with me the day we were shot down, out of loyalty." He was severely injured, captured and held as a POW in Stalag 17-B for 16 months. Sixty four years later in June 2007, he was decorated with a Purple Heart by General Mike Edwards in a special ceremony including the Colorado National Guard Mounted Color Guard and the Journey Home Learning Center's Bear Creek Riders. General Edwards brought a contingency of the Army and the Air Force to Walsenburg for commemoration of Mr. Bartlett's service in the historical Army Air Corps. In that same year, Mr. Bartlett was also honored at Wright Patterson Air Force Base when he said, "My comrades gave me a window to the future through their vision, humor and leadership. It was an honor and the highlight of my life to have served." He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, POW Medal and Purple Heart.
In 1979, Mr. Bartlett retired to Huerfano County from working the coal mine industry in Kentucky and West Virginia. At 87, Mr. Bartlett still enjoys fishing at Lathrop State Park and going for a walk to see his favorite horse, Roy. He lives on Bear Creek with his wife, Mary.
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| Frank Bartlett at Purple Heart Ceremony |
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Posted 7-17-10
SFC. James R. Prailey, Sr. joined the US Army in 1951 just in time for a trip to Korea at the age of 17. After serving in Korea for 1˝ yrs. he returned home and was assigned to Ft Carson, Colorado for approximately 4 months at which time he was assigned to a newly formed unit at Ft Bragg which became the home of the Army US 7th Special Forces. During his time in the Special Forces he was assigned duty in various places around the world. After marrying and starting a family, Sgt. Prailey later transferred to the US Air Force where he finished out his military career, retiring in 1973. During Sgt. Prailey’s career, he received various military awards including Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with V Device, and the Purple Heart. Sgt. Prailey served in both the Korea and Viet Nam wars. After retiring from the military, Mr. Prailey served and retired from Law Enforcement in the State of Texas and retired to Walsenburg, Colorado in 1998 where he currently resides.
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| SFC James R. Prailey |
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| J R Prailey 2010 |
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