Just received word that WWII veteran James Horton of West Bend has died.
I wrote a story about Horton in July as he was preparing to go on the Stars & Stripes Tour of Honor.
Doing justice to Horton and his memory – here’s the piece again in tribute.
The first Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (SSHF) “Tour of Honor” is today. Twenty-five veterans will board two coach buses that morning and make several military-related stops on their way to their VIP tent at the Milwaukee Air and Water Show.
The day will end with a Homecoming celebration and parade at Coal Dock Park in Port Washington.
Several veterans from the West Bend and Washington County area will take part in the tour including World War II veteran Silas Miller of West Bend and WW II veteran James Horton of West Bend.
Horton, 92, was 20 years old when he entered service. “He flew out of England and had missions in Europe with the 94th Bombardment Group,” said James’ son Lon Horton.
“He was the pilot of a B-17 and he flew 15 missions right until the war ended.”
Returning home to the West Allis area James Horton was self employed and worked as a sales representative for a machinery company. Horton and his wife Arlene moved to Dickeyville where they ran the Plaza Motel for 10 years. The couple then moved to West Bend about 20 years ago.
“He had been signed up for the regular Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and he was never able to make it so then the people from the Stars & Stripes called and offered this bus ride,” Lon Horton said. “I’m going to be his guarding, we’re both excited and it’s going to be a great day.”
The “Tour of Honor” is open to for WWII and Korean War vets who are unable to travel to DC.
James F. Horton “Jim”, age 92, of West Bend, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at the Kathy Hospice of West Bend.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend) on Thursday, October 1, 2015.