World War II Honoree

Kenneth L. Owens

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Charlotte, North Carolina

Honored By

Buddy Noah

Relationship

Brother-in-law

SERVED FROM 1942 TO 1945 AS AN AIRPLANE ARMORER, GUNNER ON B-24 AIRCRAFT, IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER. AWARDED AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS. CREDITED WITH SHOOTING DOWN 2 GERMAN AIRCRAFT. HIS 718TH BOMB SQUADRON CREW FLEW ON BOTH OF THE 449TH BOMB GROUP MISSIONS (PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION MISSIONS). THEY HAD TO BAIL OUT OF 'THE INHOOMIN CRITTER' OVER YUGOSLAVIA ON THE JULY 9, 1944 MISSION. AFTER BAILING OUT, TOOK TO THE MOUNTAINS OF YUGOSLAVIA. EVADED CAPTURE AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CHETNIKS, WERE RETURNED TO ITALY ON AUGUST 10, 1944. HE HAD 42 COMBAT MISSIONS TO HIS CREDIT.