Tavel, David E., 1920-

David E. Tavel is a native of Indianapolis, Ind. In October 1941 he was appointed as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Force. The following year, he became a combat pilot and flew Consolidated B 24 Liberators in Texas and Idaho as part of the 15th Air Force. He served with the 456 Heavy Bomb Group 746 Squadron in Stanora, Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star for the mission on April 22, 1944 to Bucharest, Rumania for his ability to save his plane and crew after sustaining heavy flack damage. In July, 1944 he was promoted to Captain and became deputy group operations officer and in March 1945 was promoted to Lt. Colonel.