Kemal Saied
Military
media-16983.jpeg
UPL 16983
LT Richard Walker, CPT Elton Long, LT Robert Williams, LT Kemal Saied
404th FG - 9th AF
404th FG - 9th AF
Kemal flew 62 combat missions in the ETO with the 404th Fighter Group. After the war he opened clothing stores in his native Oklahoma. Both of his parents had emigrated (separately) from Lebanon near the turn of the century.
All that knew Kemal described him a gentle and kind mind of great integrity.
He published the book "Thunderbolt Odyssey" in 1995 that describes his wartime service drawn from his personal diaries.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 404th Fighter Group 508th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Maud, OK 74854, USA | 22 October 1919 | |
Enlisted |
Oklahoma City, OK, USA | 2 August 1941 | |
Died |
Sand Springs, OK, USA | 4 September 2008 | Saied, Kemal, born November 22, 1919 in Maude, Oklahoma died at his home in Sand Springs, OK on September 4, 2008 at the age of 88. In 1941 he left OU to answer his patriotic call to service in the war. He served as a P-47 fighter pilot in the 404th Fighter Group and rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, where he was awarded many medals, including 2 Purple Hearts. He continued service to his community wherever he lived. He married Constance Moody, the love of his life in 1945, a marriage that lasted 60 years. Kemal was the proprietor of Saieds clothing stores in Sand Springs and Sapulpa. He was known for his great stories, his kind heart, grace and integrity; but most of all his love for his family and heritage. He was preceded in death by his parents; Oscar and Minnie (Adwan) Saied, three brothers, two sisters, one granddaughter and his wife Constance, who he missed greatly. Those he left behind hold many precious memories of his lifea daughter, Janet Clement and husband Steve; a daughter, Jeanne Groeneman, all of Sand Springs; a son, John Saied & his wife Debi; and a daughter, Julia Saied, all of Tulsa; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Johnny, Ashley, Kyle; and 9 great grandchildren, all of Tulsa; one sister, Edna Mae Killough; and one brother, William Saied, both of Oklahoma City. Family will receive friends Sunday 5-7 p.m. at Ninde Brookside Chapel. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2008 at Woodland Cemetery, Sand Springs and a celebration of life service will follow at the Sand Springs United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. |
Buried |
Sand Springs, OK, USA | 8 September 2008 | Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery Sand Springs Tulsa County Oklahoma, USA |