Earl Wassom was a U.S. Army pilot during World War II. He flew 35 missions in a B-24 Liberator bomber and received five Air Medals, a Purple Heart, four European Campaign Stars, and a Distinguished Unit Citation for his service. He was wounded during a mission over Heligoland, Germany, but recovered and completed his tour with his original crew. After the war, he flew multiple aircraft for the Air Transport Command before retiring as an educator and administrator for WKU in 1985.