41.15.74

Medal, Military

Military Medal. Air Medal. (a) Box. Material: paper, plastic, textile. Size: 3 1/4" x 5 3/4" x 1" H. Description: blue plastic covered cardboard box; gold design on lid; gold print on lid: "Air Medal"; cream silk lining inside lid top; cream felt lining inside lid bottom. (b) Medal. Material: textile, metal. Size: 1 1/2" W. x 3 1/4" H. Description: blue ribbon with two golden orange stripes attached to pin backing; Bronze compass rose with an eagle in center; eagle is carrying two lightning flashes in its talons. Metal pin with blue and golden orange stripes inside case above medal.

Maurice J. Hecht, son of Mrs. Ben Eichorst, 209 3rd Street N.E., Waseca, graduated from Morristown high school in 1938. Before entering the army he worked as a farmer and was inducted on August 9, 1941 at Fort Snelling. After graduating from radio school at Sioux Falls, SD Hecht earned his wings as an aerial gunner upon graduation from flexible gunnery school at Kingman, Arizona on 6 December 1943. Sergeant Hecht went overseas 11 May 1944 and his first mission was on June 4, 1944. Sergeant Hecht was awarded an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. On 22 October 1944, Hecht returned to the United States. Technical Sergeant Hecht was discharged at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin 5 September 1945. Maurice J. Hecht married Norma R. Draheim 22 December 1947 at St. John's Church in Waseca. Maurice has two brothers, Loren Hecht was with the Army and Ronald Hecht was with the Navy. A stepbrother, Lawrence Eichorst was with the Army.