Wings of Honor Museum to host “Their Stories” history stories

The Wings of Honor WWII Museum in Walnut Ridge will begin a walk through history series, “Their Stories,” on Thursday (April 27). Ron Lanoue of Little Rock will open the series by sharing the military accomplishments of his father, Roland Joseph Lanoue, who received his basic flight training at Walnut Ridge in World War II.

Thursday’s event begins with a reception and live music in the museum’s main gallery. Dinner will be served afterwards. The program will begin at 6:30 pm.

Ron Lanoue was the director of Arkansas Legal Services Partnership until his retirement in 2010, and currently serves as a volunteer at the Clinton Library.

His father born in 1921 in Fall River, Mass., and was in Aviation Cadet Class 44-A at the Walnut Ridge Army Air Forces Basic Flying School. He served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1942-1945. After leaving Walnut Ridge and completing advanced single engine training, Lanoue was awarded his wings and went on to fly a P-51 Mustang in combat.

Roland Lanoue won the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He was a member of the 8th Air Force stationed in England from 1944-1945, and he was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant with one kill in the air and 11 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground.

He had three brothers who also served.