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Personal info

Full name
PYLE, Kenneth Eugene
Date of birth
22 November 1914
Age
29
Place of birth
Jericho Springs, Cedar County, Missouri
Hometown
Boone County, Missouri

Military service

Service number
17160190
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Left Waist Gunner
Unit
570th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Died of Wounds
Date of death
8 March 1944
Place of death
Torgau, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 5 18

Immediate family

Members
Willis E. Pyle (father)
Gertrude E. (Davis) Pyle (mother)
Gloria L. Pyle (sister)
Nina P. Pyle (sister)
Willis R. Pyle (brother)
Robert G. Pyle (brother)
Melvin D. Pyle (brother)
Mary I. (Morris) Pyle (wife)
Sandra J. Pyle (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-37812
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Heavenly Body
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 2990

More information

S/Sgt Kenneth E. Pyle enlisted at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on 3 November 1942.

A/C 812 was observed about 1400 hours near 51 deg. 41 min. N - 13 deg. 40min. E with #2 engine afire after attacks by fighters. A/C made a 180-degree turn and was under attack by enemy aircraft. Five men bailed out, five crashed with the ship but survived. Surviving crew member reports indicate that S/Sgt Pyle was hit in the leg by a 20 mm shell and that he died in a German hospital due to shock and loss of blood.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.8thafhs.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Suit-Harvey Family Tree

Photo source: Jac Engels, Nancy Waller Thomas, www.findagrave.com