Wife receives medal won by Lt. John Sawyer

Two officers from the sixth Service command came to Wilmette recently to award the Air medal with one silver oak cluster to Mrs. John R. Sawyer, the former Elsie von der Lippen, whose husband, Lieutanant Sawyer, was killed in action over Truk on June 2. In a small family ceremony, the medal was presented to Mrs. Sawyer, who has been making her home with her parents, the Fred von der Lippens of 220 Lake avenue, and a citation was read explaining the award was made "for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained operational missions." The citation continues: "Flights were of a hazardous nature, during which there was traversed an area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was effective, or where enemy fighter patrols were habitually encountered. Each individual exhibited great courage and untiring energy: his services reflecting highest credit on the military forces of the United States. As pilot from October 25 to November 4, 1943, November 7 to 16, 1943, November 18 to 29, 1943, December 1, 1943 to January 29, 1944, January 30 to February 12, 1944, February 14 to April 6, 1944." First pilot of a Liberator bomber and a squadron leader, Lieutenant Sawyer was killed when a Zero dove into the nose of his plane as he was directing a mission over Truk.