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Personal info

Full name
RUSSELL, Kenneth Eugene
Date of birth
1921
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Oklahoma
Hometown
Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma

Military service

Service number
O-696518
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
832nd Bombardment Squadron,
486th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
28 May 1944
Place of death
English Channel, north of Zuidkote, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Willis V. Russell (father)
Clara E. Russell (mother)
John H. Russell (brother)
Willis V. Russell (brother)
Twila A. Russell (sister)
Norma E. Russell (sister)
Phillis C. Russell (sister)
Mildred I. Russell (sister)
Sara P. Russell (sister)
Don M. Russell (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-50345
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Robin The Cradle
Destination: Lutzkendorf/Halle, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 5389

More information

Kenneth Russell attended high school for four years and was a clerk.

He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 29 October 1940.

According to crew members of other airplanes in the group, the aircraft was hit by flak near the I.P.. It tried to make a run on the primary target but couldn't stay in the formation. It was seen following the formation on route at a lower altitude and last seen about 30 miles from the Belgian coast at an altitude between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. It is assumed all the crew members bailed out over the English Channel. Only two men survived and were taken prisoner by the Germans on the beach near Gravelines or Zuidkote, France. Nine men were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class book 43-15 Big Spring Texas