Ken's Men - Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Rob Butler
From: Chevy Chase MD
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My thanks to those who maintain this site, which I'm enjoying browsing. My father, Bob Butler, founded this group (Kensmen) & started the reunions. This group and those reunions I think gave him more pleasure and pride in accomplishment than anything else in his long & busy life.

Added: January 12, 2024

Submitted by
Name: Charles Bowen Jr.
From: North Dakota
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
B-17E 41-9234, is missing from the plane list. It was piloted by 1st Lt. Ray Dau and co-pilot 2nd Lt.Donald Hoggan. Bombadier 2nd Lt. Albert"Bud"Cole, Navigator 2nd Lt. Peter Hudec, Radio Sgt. Robert Albright, Engineer SSG Lloyd Dumond, Waistgunners Sgt.Peter Hudec and Sgt. Henry Blasco, Ball turret Sgt. Francis Caldwell, and tailgunner SSG Henry(Billy)Bowen. They were shot down January 8th, 1943 while bombing a convoy in the Bismarck Sea. 41-9234 is laying in Black Cat Pass near Wau New Guinea where Lts Dau and Hoggan set it down. Bowen downed 2 Zeros that day and Blasco downed one. Dumond supposedly got one too but I don't think he received credit. Bowen and Albright died as a result of wounds recieved in combat that day. The rest survived but Cole was badly injured. Caldwell was lost in August of 1943 when his B-17 was downed in the Pacific. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing in Manilla.

Added: December 6, 2022

Submitted by
Name: J. Innes
From: Oak Ridge, TN
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Our Father Tom Innes was a Liberator pilot for the 43rd Bomb Group of the 5th Air Force. He rarely spoke of his service, only mentioning that his crew once bombed a Japanese city named "Usa". He explained that the town was given that name so it's products could be stamped "Made in USA". Anyone wishing to talk further is welcome to leave a message here.

Added: October 23, 2022

Submitted by
Name: Michael Blair
From: Troy ny
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Late father in law Hazlett j Quackenbush was a radio operator and waist gunner on B24 in the 5th air force 43rd bomb group from 1942-1943. Trying to find more info on his group

Added: August 30, 2022

Submitted by
Name: Nicole Miller
From: California
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My grandfather was Nicholas Arabinko.

Added: August 8, 2022

Submitted by
Name: Scott McEachron
From: Clinton, IA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My grandfather John Francis "Jack" McEachron was a gunner in the 65 Bomb Squadron, 43 Bomb Group (H) (I have his "Moose" patch). He departed the US on 30 Jun 1943 and returned 23 Mar 1944. While not recognized in databases after the fire in St. Louis, my grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as a Staff Sargent, which was unusual at the time. I have the cross as well as the letter from Lt. General George C Kenney to my Grandmother notifying her of the commendation. Too many people have been unrecognized for their service to our country.

Added: July 12, 2022

Submitted by
Name: Greg

Comments:
Francis E Tucher .. B-24 flight engineer .. Happy day of First Common Air (B-Day)
died in 2012

Added: May 24, 2022

Submitted by
Name: Charles Bowen Jr.
From: North Dakota
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Just checking in. My uncle Henry "Billy" Bowen was the tailgunner on B17E 41-9234 on it's last mission. I knew him from a picture on the wall of our farmhouse and a few stories I could get out of my Dad. He loved music, baseball and flying. He was a pilot before the war. He wanted to fly fighters but he wasn't an officer. He was somewhat infamous for flying his plane down the main street of Trenton ND and also flying under the Lewis and Clark bridge at Williston ND.

Added: November 7, 2021

Submitted by
Name: Dufour
From: france
E-mail: Contact

Comments:

Private post. Click to view.

Added: October 27, 2021

Submitted by
Name: Tim Peters
From: Missouri
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Robert F Varner was my wife's uncle.

Added: October 10, 2021