06/22/1944
When Staff Sergeant Gee received his "wings" Saturday, he became Marion county's first U.S. Army pilot.
A message was received Friday morning from the war department by Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Gee, stating that their son, Captain Richard
A. Gee, who had previously been reported missing in action, was now reported killed in action over France, June 22.
Captain Gee, a flight commander and fighter pilot, had participated in one of the largest raids over France that day that had ever been made by British based aircraft and failed to return to his base. As yet no definite details have been received as to what proof the latest report was based upon.
The message Friday stated a letter would, follow with details. The young pilot had been in England since August 20, 1943, and
had participated in many raids over France and Germany.
On January 28 he was presented the Air Medal, a decoration for meritorious service in the air corps. He had previously received The American Defense Medal, one for a Service Outside Continental United States and an Alaskan Medal.
In March he was taken out of combat duty and served as squadron commander in a fighter training squadron, training pilots for combat duty.
It was falsely reported around Knoxville, that he was "grounded", but that report was not true.
In the army when a man is grounded, he is not allowed to even ride in a plane and Captain Gee piloted a plane all during the time.