Memorial

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S/Sgt Grady V. Kearsy joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 8 October 1940.

S/Sgt Kearsey followed his older brother, Robert, to western Pennsylvania's steel mills. He had been an usher at Fulton Theater, where his brother, Gordon, was assistant manager. His brother Robert enlisted in the Army as well, and the brothers were sent to Puerto Rico. There, Grady Kearsey asked for "active duty". Robert Kearsey was transferred to a base in Langley, Virginia, after his brother's death, but felt guilty about finishing the war as a stateside gunnery instructor and returned to active duty. Gordon Kearsey enlisted in the Naval Aviation forces.

Sgt Robert L. Kearsey was reported missing in action in China. He served as a gunner on B-24J #44-40831 and did not return from a mission to bomb enemy ships in Takao Harbor. His plane crashed into Mount Arisan in China. Two farmers found the crash site in 1996. Sgt Robert Kearsey is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Statement from Captain David E. Olsson, Assistant Operations Officer:
"B-17F 42-29680 piloted by 1st Lt Joseph L. Nunes on 13 June 1943 was last seen between 54 ° to 55° N and 08° to 10° E. The aircraft was never seen in trouble or leaving the formation. On this mission, a great deal of enemy opposition was encountered (over 100 enemy aircraft), causing 10 aircraft of this unit to be lost. It is understandable that the crews returned unable to give any information concerning this missing aircraft."

The entire crew of ten men was killed. The remains of seven were never recovered and are remembered on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. One is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, and two are buried in the U.S.A.