Dean Parker Kern
MilitaryDean Kern was Ball Turret Gunner on B-24D #42-51112 on the 31 March 1945 mission to Brunswick, Germany. Hit by a German Me262 jet fighter, the Liberator had one engine out, its Navigator was badly wounded and Pilot Bussell tried to crash-land the ship, with all the crew on board, in a field between Tündern and Hamelin, 45km SW of Hannover, Germany. Navigator Murray D. Robinson and Top Turret Gunner Saul Katz were killed in the crash. The 8 other crew members were made Prisoners of War (POWs) including Dean Kern. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 13735.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Allen H Bryson, Sol Greenberg and Albert J Gehrt of the 453rd Bomb Group in their underwear after a mission. Handwritten letter enclosed with print: '1 [left] Allen H Bryson- Pilot, 2 [right] Albert H Gehrt- Bombardier, 3 [center] Sol Greenberg- Navigator. Part of the crew of "The Gypsy Queen", 733rd Sqdn. 453rd Bomb Group at Old Buckenham. Taken in long johns, pistol and parachute harness after returning from a mission.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380674.jpg.webp?itok=FeDJ5j6d)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37574497
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18076336 at enlistment, then O-758532
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39277648
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13063119 at enlistment, then O-2059523
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38387437
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 733rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 31 March 1945
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
25 July 1924 | Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States | |
|
Enlisted |
4 February 1944 | New Cumberland, Pennsylvania | |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
31 March 1945 | After the crash-landing of B-24D #42-51112 between Tündern and Hamelin, 45km SW of Hannover, Germany. NARA WWII POW records : ”Interned in Germany. Returned to Military Control 19 October 1945.” | |
|
Other Discharged |
2 November 1945 | ||
|
Died |
15 November 2002 | Altoona, Pennsylvania | |
| Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania | |||
|
Buried |
Dean Kern rests at the Alto Reste Burial Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania |
Revisions
MACR 13735
NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft card
WWII POW records
Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death file
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The Liberator Men of Old Buc