World War II Honoree

Kenneth S. Wales, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Washington, District Of Columbia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Second Lieutenant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps July 15, 1942 at Washington, District of Columbia. As a graduate of the Advanced Flight Aviation Cadet Training program, he accepted his Commission and Silver Navigator Wings. He served as a Navigator aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 337th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Snetterton Royal Air Force Station Location: Heath, England. Thursday, December 16, 1943 his Bomber was shot down by German Fighters, while participating in a Bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. The Flight Group’s mission was to destroy, an operational German Aircraft Plant. He successfully bailed-out, before his aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Bruchhausen. He was captured by the German Armed Forces, and incarcerated at the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag Luft 1 near Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was liberated, and returned to military control. This American Patriot received the following Decorations: Air Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Lieutenant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.