DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A local American prisoner of war (POW) is being honored by having a Navy Destroyer named after him.
The Clark County Historical Society and Museum opened a new permanent exhibit on both the new Navy Destroyer and U.S. Navy aircrewman George Milton Neal on Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon to 3 p.m.
Organizers said Neal is believed to be the first African American U.S. Navy aircrewman who flew with Combat Search and Rescue helicopters. Both he and his pilot were shot down in North Korea durning an attempt to rescue a Marine aviator in 1951. Neal served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class.
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He evaded enemy forces for nine days, then he was captured and became a POW for two and a half years…