R.O. "Bill" Henley

R.O. "Bill" Henley was a B-17 navigator with the 384th Bomb Group during WWII. After flying seven combat missions, he was shot down over Hamburg and endured 21 months as a POW at Stalag Luft 3 and later, Stalag VII-A. 

Post-war, R.O. earned a degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M Univeristy, and dedicated 34 years to the Texas Department of Transportation as a civil engineer, where his expertise and dedication earned him numerous professional accolades. A testament to his skill, many of the overpasses he engineered decades ago still stand today as a permanent and central part of Texas infrastructure.

R.O. was the first former POW in Dallas to be honored with the special edition license plate, a tribute presented by his TXDOT colleagues. 

Above all, R.O.'s greatest accomplishment was the family he built, and passing down a foundation of values, integrity, and respect for those who served our country.

Mikayla Leech

Mikayla Leech, great-granddaughter of R.O. Henley, is a dedicated author specializing in the history of the 384th Bomb Group and Stalag Luft 3 Prisoner of War Camp. 

She also serves as an author for the 384th Bombardment Group Museum in England, turning historical documents and data into captivating stories that resonate with modern audiences.

Mikayla is also actively involved with the 384th Bomb Group Heritage Association. 

Her work is driven by a deep personal commitment to ensuring that the stories of World War II veterans and POWs are preserved for future generations. 

Mikayla is a steadfast advocate for veteran recognition, and it is her mission to ensure that the sacrifices made in WWII, and beyond, remain a central part of our collective memory. 

R.O. & Mikayla, 2003