Vernon Edward Kirk Jr

Military
media-37751.jpeg UPL 37751 Vernon E. Kirk Jr. Vernon E Kirk collection

These photo's were given to me by my Dad years ago.

Object Number - UPL 37751 - Vernon E. Kirk Jr.

Joined Sqd 10/25/44. WIA 11/10/44 (Hanau). Trans/4210 Hospital 11/15/44. Pilot: Hobbs.



Vernon Kirk wrote: “The flight to Hanau was routine, though we did see some flak and some

planes we thought were German jets [Me 262s]. They seemed to be just staying out of range and did not attack. When we approached Koblenz, we could see heavy flak ahead so we started to drop the strips of anti-aircraft foil. The flak became thick and close, rocking the plane. I reached over to pick up my flak suit and for an instant I could or did not move from that leaning position. It was then I heard a loud noise and knew flak had hit the plane. Then I felt a burning in my right hip. I told Hank, the other waist gunner to help me and then we found blood. He and another crewman bandaged to stop the bleeding and we made it back to base. At the hospital that night I saw another person, probably George Schofield, and though I felt pain I realized how lucky I was because he appeared to have a head injury. This was only my second mission though one time we became lost in heavy clouds and lost the formation. “Some of the crew came to visit me in the hospital, then I never saw them again. Later I asked about them and was told they were lost over France, but could not get any other information.

Hobbs gave me the piece of flak and a Cuban nickel I had in my wallet. The flak had struck it

and ripped it almost in half and then came out my hip at my waist. This nickel evidently

deflected the flak and saved more serious injury and possibly my life.”

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

24 October 1925 Documented by Daughter

Died

2 January 2018

Revisions

Date
ContributorMary Beth Kirk
Changes
Sources

Documented by Daughter

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Contributordecwriter
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NARA file verified Purple Heart. He earned at least one bronze campaign star on the EAME Campaign Medal.

Date
ContributorMary Beth Kirk
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Direct Quote: Lundy

Date
ContributorMary Beth Kirk
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Purple Heart received after his injury of 10 November 1944

Date
Changes
Date
ContributorMary Beth Kirk
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Photos given to me by my Dad, Vernon E. Kirk, Jr.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd

Vernon Edward Kirk: Gallery (4 items)