Major Cletus Thomas "Pinky" Funderburk

Tom was born on March 25, 1925 in Pageland, SC and was nicknamed Pinky because of his bright red hair. He spent one year at Citadel Military College before entering the AF Aviation Cadet Program in June 1943. He graduated pilot school Class 44-C in August 1944 and transitioned to piloting the B-17. Crewing up in Tampa, he flew a new B-17G to Europe in December 1944. Assigned to the 8th AF, 493rd Bomber Group, 860th Squadron, Tom flew 17 missions as a B17 Pilot. His B17 was shot down and belly-landed Leuven, Belgium. His favorite missions were multiple food drops in Holland and flying POWs from Linz, Austria to Paris during May 1945.

Tom was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Combat Service Commemorative Medal, Army Service Commemorative Medal, American Defence Medal, and Honorable Service Medal.

Tom graduated from Wake Forest in 1949 and pursued a career in Sales and Management. He also married that year and has three sons. Pinky retired as a Major after 20 years in the USAF reserves. He has 5000 pilot hours in the Piper Comanche and Beechcraft Bonanza, keeps his commercial license current, and still flies occasionally.

"I took my 3 sons for an all day visit to The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in October 2010. They were amazed and enlightened and I am thankful that we could share that experience. I am proud to be a member."