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Personal info

Full name
DILTS, Kenneth Lawrence
Date of birth
26 July 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
East Detroit, Macomb County, Michigan
Hometown
Eastpointe, Wayne County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
16083112
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
366th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
1 January 1945
Place of death
Magdeburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 8 48

Immediate family

Members
Earl W. Dilts (father)
Viola (Rutten) Dilts (mother)
Earl C. Dilts (brother)
Marie E. Dilts (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8268
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkahle (BRABAG) oil refinery
MACR: 11251

More information

Kenneth L. Dilts attended high school for four years and was a heat treater.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Detroit, Michigan on 4 July 1942.

The aircraft pulled up when it was hit by enemy aircraft and swung over to left of formation. Some smoke was seen. The enemy fighters attacked again and it was seen to explode. Five crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Five men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.8thafhs.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com – Evan and Connor Bubak Tree / WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, American Air Museum