Norman Pershing Kempton
Military388th BG - 560th BS
Standing L to R: Norman P. Kempton (P), Paul E. Davis (CP), Stanley A. Plytynski (N), Harry H. McKenna (B)
Kneeling L to R: Emil W. Taddeo (FE), Raymond S. Eutuch (WG), Hamp B. Nicholson (TG), Harvey B. Norton (BTG), Louis J. Mostardi (R/O), Melvin S. Larson (WG) 388th Bomb Group collection
Connected with A/C
Shot down 5 January 1944 in B-17 #42-5899 'Sioux City Queen'.
"Lt. Kempton in a/c 42-5899 "Sioux City Queen", left the formation with one engine feathered and was attacked by figthers. The tail was shot up by the fighters and the crew bailed out. As many as seven parachutes were seen. "
A/C received heavy damage and crashed near Cartujac, France. Evaded (EVD).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-680188
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16126416
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-744281
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11051478
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Togglier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-674700
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 5 January 1944
- Date: 4 January 1944
- Date: 31 December 1943
- Date: 30 December 1943
- Date: 22 December 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Keldron, Corson County, SD | 13 May 1918 | |
Other 388th BG Combat Tour |
Knettishall Airfield, UK | 26 November 1943 - 5 January 1944 | |
Other Shot Down/Evaded |
near Cartujac, France | 5 January 1944 - 17 April 1944 | Reached Gibraltar and was back in the UK on 17 April 1944 |
Died |
Indian Harbor Beach, Florida | 2 June 2005 | Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. - Norman P. Kempton, 87, Aerospace Engineer, died at home Thursday, June 2, 2005. Norman was born in Keldron, S.D. He had a long, distinguished career. He was Captain, pilot of B-17 Bomber in the US Air Force during World War II. He belonged to the 388th Bombardment, Group (H) 1942-1945. He was shot down over Germany, and escaped with the help of the French Underground by walking over the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain after five long months. Norman was recalled to active duty at the beginning of the Korean War. After nearly two years of active duty at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, he subsequently came to Patrick Air Force Base where he was Quality Assurance Engineer for the Titan 3C program until he retired. After he retired he became an avid golfer and sailor. Norman enjoyed life to the fullest. Norman is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pearl; his son, Gary; grandson, Wesley Norman of Tallahassee, Fla.; a sister, Vivian Dayton of Lemmon, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at Beach Funeral Home East Chapel, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. |
Buried |
Pensacola, Florida | Barrancas National Cemetery Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA Add to Map Plot SECTION C-10 ROW C SITE 9 |
Revisions
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=60901&h=173811…
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=70050&h=156835…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14043882
"The 388th at War" - Edward J. Huntzinger, page 61
http://www.388bg.com/servlet/Controller?pageType=detail&id=388-I-KEM02-…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3118 / MACR 3118, 8th AF Losses / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database