Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, spoke in the House of Commons ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday, August 15, which marks the end of the war in the Pacific.
During the debate, Mr Amos honoured those who served in the Pacific and Asia, including his father, Captain Jim Amos, who was redeployed to Asia from Europe.
The MP also recognised the contributions of Somerset airmen who served in the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU).
He said: “Flying Officer Eric Durston from Wellington flew solo reconnaissance missions, capturing images critical to allied planning.
“He was lost over the Netherlands in 1942.”
Mr Amos also remembered Flying Officer Theo Priddle from Taunton, who died on Christmas Eve 1944 when his Spitfire was shot down over Utrecht.
He paid tribute to Eric Hill of Taunton, who flew Mosquitos across the Arctic, on the Eastern front, and over Germany.
Mr Amos said: “One such mission, to photograph Tirpitz, was over 3,000 miles and lasted more than ten hours.
“It is thought to be the longest reconnaissance operation of the entire war.”
Hill survived the war and later played and commentated on cricket for Somerset.
He is commemorated in the press box at the County Ground.
Mr Amos said: “These stories remind us that everyday folk get caught up in war and do extraordinarily courageous things.
“We owe it to those who serve to stand with veterans, to remember them and their sacrifice.”
A national memorial to the PRU pilots and photo interpreters is planned for a site outside the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall.