World War II Honoree

Kenneth DeForrest Einsel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Hastings, Nebraska

Honored By

Douglas C. Einsel

Relationship

Fourth & Last Child

SERIAL NUMBER 171 131 331. MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY WAS 612, ARMORER GUNNER (WAIST GUNNER). ENLISTED NOVEMBER 18, 1942. ENTERED INTO ACTIVE DUTY FEBRUARY 1, 1943. CONTINENTAL SERVICE: 2 YEARS, 1 MONTH, 3 DAYS. FOREIGN SERVICE 7 MONTHS, 19 DAYS. DEPARTED FOR EUROPEAN TOUR SEPTEMBER 10, 1944 AND RETURNED TO CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES APRIL 28, 1945. CAMPAIGNS: ARDENNES, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE. RECEIVED THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL, AIR MEDAL ON OCTOBER 17, 1944. HE AND HIS CREW WERE BASED AT SNETTERTON HEATH, ENGLAND AND PART OF THE 413TH SQUADRON, 96TH BOMB GROUP, OF THE EIGHT AIRFORCE, 3RD AIR DIVISION, 45TH BOMBER WING. ON 30 MISSIONS FROM THE BASE OVER EUROPE. THE B-17 IN WHICH HE FLEW WAS 'MISS MI LOVIN.' HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY OCTOBER 22, 1945 AS A RESULT OF DEMOBILIZATION.