8th Air Force honors Lt Col (ret) Adolf Wesselhoeft

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Adolf Wesselhoeft tells what is was like growing up during the World War II and later as a member of 8th Air Force during a presentation at the History Center in Bossier City, La., Dec. 8, 2019. As a child of German immigrants (but born an American citizen), he and his parents were made to live in a U.S. internment camp during WW II until they were forced to return to Germany where they weathered severe bombings in Hamburg. Later on, Wesselhoeft returned to the U.S. and joined the military. He served as a photographer, navigator as well as a B-52 electronic warfare officer. He flew combat missions during the Vietnam War in the same unit (8th Air Force) that he lived through during WW II. Following Wesselhoeft' s address at the center, Lane Callaway, 8th Air Force historian, presented the veteran a letter of appreciation from Maj. Gen. James Dawkins Jr, current 8th Air Force commander, for his dedication and career service. Wesselhoeft and his wife Shirley currently reside close to Barksdale Air Force Base in Ruston, La. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Oakes)