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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Suzanne A. Bingham

Lorraine Farquhar "Armie" Armstrong, Jr. always wanted to fly. He was born on April 8, 1919 in near Houston, Texas. After graduating from Sequin High School in June 1937, Armie continued his education at Texas Lutheran College and graduated with an associate's degree. On December 28, 1939, Armie joined the Army Air Corps and began primary flight training in class 40E, at Love Field in Dallas, TX. He continued on to complete his basic pilot training at Randolph Army Airfield and his advanced pilot training at Kelly AAF in San Antonio Texas. He graduated in August 1940 and received his pilot's wings. Upon graduating from the flying school he was commissioned 2nd Lt.

Flying Cadet Armstrong fell in love with Francelle "Boots" Parmiter and they became engaged as the imminent signs of war persisted in Europe. Upon graduation Lt. Armstrong was assigned to the 17th Bombardment Group, McChord Field, near Tacoma Washington, where he was flew B-18's and B-23's. Boots and Armie were married in the base chapel at McChord Field on December 4, 1940. He was stationed at McChord Field for two years, later was transferred to Essler Airfield in Louisiana. In 1941 Lt. Armstrong was returned to his home squadron at McChord Field and his new squadron was the 434 Squadron of the 12th Bombardment Group.

In March 1942, Armie was transferred to Essler Field in Alexandria, Louisiana. There his squadron completed combat crew training and was fully equipped to deploy overseas. On March 9, 1942, Armie was promoted to 1st Lt. and Boots gave birth to a son, Lorraine F. Armstrong III. Armie was promoted to Captain and on July 18, 1942 was made the squadron operations officer. The B-25's of the 12th Bomb Group were deployed to Egypt in August 1942 to support the British 8th Army. In 1943 Captain Armstrong was promoted to Major and appointed Squadron Commander, at the ripe old age of 24. In 1944 the Group moved to Foggia, Italy and by February 1944, Major Armie Armstrong has flown 64 combat missions, (a double combat tour) and was returned to the United States. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC) for valor in battle.

Major Armstrong returned home to the USA in 1944 and had many assignments. In 1950 Major Armstrong was promoted to Lt. Colonel and his daughter, Suzanne, was born at Brooke General Hospital at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Armie continued his career in the Air Force and in 1965 he was promoted to Colonel. He retired in February 1968 from the Air Force. He then worked for Sperry Rand and Liebher America until he retired in 1980 to enjoy life and sailing his sailboat.

List of Decorations and Awards: 1942-1944: Two Distinguished Flying Crosses for valor in battle. (Medal with Oak leaf cluster). 1942-1944: Received nine Air Medals (medal with eight (8) oak leaf clusters). 1942 - Presidential Citation to entire 12th Bombardment Group for the Battle of El Alamein. 1942-1944 - Combat Ribbons for American Theater and European Africa Middleast Theater (with 6 battle Stars-1 silver and 1 bronze). 1965 - Legion of Merit for work on the Cuban Crisis. 1965 - Air Force Citation Medal for work on deployment of first mobile air base to Vietnam.