On 1 January 1945 Kenneth took off from Chelveston airfield on his 20th mission as a B-17 gunner. At 12:04, he called out via the aircraft’s intercom that enemy fighters were approaching. His aircraft ‘pulled up when hit by enemy aircraft and swung over to left of formation,’ described an eyewitness in a nearby B-17. ‘Some smoke was seen, but origin is not known. Enemy aircraft attacked stricken aircraft again, and it was seen to explode.’ Five of the crew escaped, and were taken prisoner. Kenneth was not one of the survivors. He was last seen by one of his crewmates, wounded and unconscious at his post. A few days later, back in Detroit, Michigan, Kenneth’s mother, Viola, received the news that her son was missing in action. His death was confirmed shortly afterwards. He is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery.



Killed in Action (KIA) 1 January 1945 at Madgeburg in B-17 44-8268.