TSGT Wonning was born on July 17, 1920 in Batesville Indiana. After he graduated from Batesville High School Wonning was inducted into the US Army Air Corps on December 22 1942. As a radio operator on a B-17 bomber stationed at Thurleigh, England, Wonning flew thirteen combat missions which included 3 on D-Day. Then on June 17, 1944 after Wonning's plane was shot down over Loue, France, he was injured in the arm by a piece of shrapnel from German aircraft shells. Upon parachuting to safety, Wonning suffered other injuries. When he landed, wonning was able to recieve medical attention from a Brittish POW doctor in LeMans. He was then transfered to Stalag 221 in Rennes, France. During the strafing at Langeais, TSGT Wonning was hit in the hip by a 50 caliber bullet from Allied fighter planes. Wonning managed to get transferred to a POW hospital in Tours. After a French POW doctor removed the bullet, Wonning remained in the Tours POW hospital until he was liberated on September 2, 1944. Wonning was able to return to the United States and marry Maxine Bush on April 17 1945. TSGT Wonning is deceased June 23 2009 in Osgood Indiana. He is survived by his wife Maxine, his daughter Connie, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.