S/SGT Kenyon's group includes his posthumous officially engraved slot brooch Purple Heart with enamel center, and his officially engraved solid brooch Air Medal. A 2 inch sterling silver aerial gunner's wing with "KEN" engraved on the back is part of the group. This was probably sent home to a loved one. The Purple Heart Presentation case is included along with a personalized, printed "Citation of Honor" signed by Hap Arnold. Interestingly, the fiche MACR that was obtained by Al Gleim is included.
Staff Sergeant Kenneth Kenyon was born December 19, 1917 and lived in California. He enlisted in the Air Corps on July 29, 1942, after attending college for 3 years. Kenyon was part of the 752nd Bombardment Squadron based at Horsham St. Faiths in England. Kenyon was a left waist gunner who was killed in action over Belgium when his B-24 was hit by flak, went out of control and the crew was forced to bail out.
The Missing Air Crew Report, number 7255, accompanying this group states that all crew members survived except Kenyon whose parachute failed to open. The Germans found his body on the ground about 6 km south of the town of Diest. Included in the MACR are copies of German reports of the shoot down. The reports indicate that 1 man was killed, 1 was captured and the rest escaped.The captured flyer was the co-pilot Lt. Gordon Morehead. The cause of the crash was described: "The A/C was one of a formation from the direction of Achen. The A/C was outside of the right side of the formation. It was hit and became detached from the formation. The A/C lost altitude and speed. It crashed. Weather conditions: thin clouds, very hazy."
Spring 2022 sold to a collector.
