World War II Honoree

Kenneth Staunton Hastings

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Leominster, Massachusetts

Honored By

Amanda Cockcroft

Relationship

I am a volunteer at Nuthampstead Air Museum

Assigned to the 603rd bomber squadron on August 28th, 1944. Part of the 398th bomb group, he was based at Nuthampstead in Hertfordshire. A pilot with his own crew, he started flying missions in September. He was given Flight Squadron leader status at the end of September. On November 21st, 1944 on a mission to Merseburg, his aircraft was attacked by German fighter planes. He kept the aircraft flying steadily so his crew could bail out. He died and was buried temporarily by the Germans. His final resting place is at Margraten cemetery in the Netherlands. His awards are a purple heart, air medal, oak leaf cluster and a Distinguished Flying Cross.