World War II Honoree

Edward Kenneth Cornelius

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Camden County, New Jersey

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 7 DECEMBER 1942 AT CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY. ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, FIFTH AIR FORCE, 309TH BOMB WING, 43RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 64TH BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT THE LAE-NADZAB AIRFIELD COMPLEX, NEW GUINEA. ON 13 JUNE 1944 (FROM MOKERANG AIRFIELD), HE FLEW IN THE NAVIGATOR POSITION ONBOARD A B-24D LIBERATOR NICKNAMED THE 'UNCLE SAM' (TAIL # 42-72811) ON A NIGHT-TIME PATHFINDER STRIKE MISSION TO BOMB JAPANESE AIR AND NAVAL FORCES ON YAP IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS. APPROXIMATELY FIVE HOURS INTO THE 13-HOUR ROUND TRIP MISSION, THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES AND CRASHED IN THE OCEAN, WITH NO SURVIVORS.