Korean War
![](/sites/default/files/korea.png)
Service # | AF34260469 |
---|---|
Unit | 13 BOMB SQ 3 BOMB WING |
Rank | Staff Sergeant U.S. Air Force |
Date of Death | February 21 1951 |
Status | Missing In Action |
Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Honolulu Memorial |
![](/sites/default/files/air%20medal-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/air%20medal-medal.png)
Air Medal
![](/sites/default/files/distinguished%20flying%20cross-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/distinguished%20flying%20cross-medal.png)
Distinguished Flying Cross
![](/sites/default/files/korean%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/korean%20service%20medal-medal.png)
Korean Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/national%20defense%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/national%20defense%20service%20medal-medal.png)
National Defense Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/purple%20heart-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/purple%20heart-medal.png)
Purple Heart
![](/sites/default/files/republic%20of%20korea%20presidential%20unit%20citation-ribbon.png)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
![](/sites/default/files/republic%20of%20korea%20war%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/united%20nations%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
United Nations Service Medal
For his leadership and valor, Staff Sergeant Root was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Staff Sergeant Root was the tail gunner on a B-26B Invader bomber with the 13th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group. On February 21, 1951, while on a combat mission, a 1,000 pound bomb prematurely exploded destroying four B-26Bs. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.