Sidney Battle

Technical Sergeant, retired, Sidney Battle, United States Air Force, was born November 29, 1922, in Buckhead, Georgia to Boyce Barrow and Hallie Battle. In addition to being a devoted and loving husband and the world's greatest father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Sidney was an accomplished musician, aircraft and auto mechanic, master rifleman, cargo rail system technician, gardener, and an outstanding soldier and airman during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In the Army, 1942-1945, he served in Air Defense Artillery, Battery "A" 742nd AAA Battalion and as its bugler in the Pacific Campaign in Papua New Guinea. During his Army tour, he was directly responsible for the shoot down of two Japanese Zero Aircraft. Later he was part of the Army contingent headed to invade Japan that was diverted to the Philippines to free U.S. prisoners held by the Japanese at the notorious POW camps in Baatan. He later served as a guard and supervisor of Japanese prisoners captured at Baatan. He always was proud that he and his fellow U.S. soldiers extended Japanese POWs their Geneva Convention rights, kindness and dignity despite the fact this treatment wasn't extended to U.S. and Filipino soldiers. In his opinion, it showed the best of American values.

In the Air Force, 1948-1971, he served as an aircraft mechanic for the B-47 medium jet bomber and C-130 transport aircraft directly supporting U.S. military campaigns in Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. He was assigned to Vietnam during the war and came under enemy fire. In addition, he was an accomplished musician (piano, saxophone and French horn) and was proud to serve as a backup musician to country singer Johnny Cash while both of them were stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California.

Sidney Battle was recognized for his military service to the Army and Air Force with two Bronze Star medals, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Bronze Battle Star, World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medals and the Air Force Longevity Service Medal.

Although Sidney was very proud to be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, he believed his most significant achievement was as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Mrs. Clarita G. Battle, and his children, Diane Brazleton (Winston), Sidney Tyrone Battle (Rashon), Timothy Battle, Michael Battle (Alice), Anthony Battle (Melodie), Miyoshi Landry (Mark), Boyce Battle, Raquel Battle, Yendis Battle, Jimmy Battle (Donna) and Monique Triplett (Raymond). He is predeceased by three children Rufus Williams, James Williams and Theophilus Battle. He also leaves to cherish his memory 46 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Miller Jonees Moreno Valley Mortuary, 23618 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, California, 92533 where a Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26,2011, from 5-9pm. Funeral Services will he held on Friday, May 27, 2011 from 11:30-1:00pm at Riverside Kansas Avenue Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, 4491 Kansas Avenue, Riverside California 92507. Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery immediately following the services. Repast will be held at SDA church after interment.