Sterling Tatum Hendricks, deceased, was from Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Hendricks enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1940, just before his senior year at Little Rock High School. He was called to active duty and trained as a gunner and aerial photographer on B-24 Liberators. As a Technical Sergeant, he flew 49 combat missions in Europe during World War II. After recovering from wounds, he volunteered to deploy to the Pacific, where he flew another 50 combat missions. His decorations include the Silver Star Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart Medal for combat wounds, and eight awards of the Air Medal.

He earned the Silver Star Medal for action on June 9, 1943. While flying as a gunner over a target, his plane was crippled by 15 enemy fighters. He was wounded but refused to leave his gun. He inspired his other crewmates, and they downed three enemy fighters. With only one engine working, they were able to crash-land on Malta. He spent the next three months in the hospital recovering from his wounds. Sterling Tatum Hendricks' contributions to the military are remembered and honored.