Kenneth Lawrence Dilts
Military ROLL OF HONOURImage courtesy of Clive Bassett
On 1 January 1945 Kenneth took off from Chelveston airfield on his 20th mission as a B-17 gunner. At 12:04, he called out via the aircraft’s intercom that enemy fighters were approaching. His aircraft ‘pulled up when hit by enemy aircraft and swung over to left of formation,’ described an eyewitness in a nearby B-17. ‘Some smoke was seen, but origin is not known. Enemy aircraft attacked stricken aircraft again, and it was seen to explode.’ Five of the crew escaped, and were taken prisoner. Kenneth was not one of the survivors. He was last seen by one of his crewmates, wounded and unconscious at his post. A few days later, back in Detroit, Michigan, Kenneth’s mother, Viola, received the news that her son was missing in action. His death was confirmed shortly afterwards. He is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery.
Killed in Action (KIA) 1 January 1945 at Madgeburg in B-17 44-8268.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17143458
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Detroit, Michigan, USA | 26 July 1920 | |
Other Drafted |
East Detroit, Macomb, Michigan, | 16 February 1940 | |
Enlisted |
Detroit, Michigan | 4 July 1942 | |
Died |
Kladen, Germany | 1 January 1945 | |
Buried |
Kladen Community Cemetery | 2 January 1945 | Temporary burial |
Buried |
Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial | ||
Other Employed |
Packard Motor Company, Detroit |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 11251 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database