Kenneth served as a Sergeant and Radio Operator / Gunner on B-17 #43-37909, 832nd Bomber Squadron, 486th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
He resided in Kenmore, Erie County, New York prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Army on October 5, 1942 in Buffalo, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a sheet metal worker and also as Married.
B-17 #43-37909 took off, with a crew of 9, from Sudbury, England on a bombing mission over Hamburg, Germany. Near the target they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and nosed over and collided with B-17G #43-38145. Only two of the crew members of B-17 #43-37909 were able to bailout and they both became German POW's.
2nd Lt. Harvey M. Walthall, the pilot, was able to bring the plane back under control and landed on the East Frisian Island of Borkum, Germany. After landing the remaining 7 crew members were captured and taken to the Ostland Flak Battery.
Following their interrogation, the crew was ordered to march through the town of Borkum, with their hands up, to an airfield on the southern end of the island. During this march they were abused and assaulted by civilians and workers of the Reichs Arbeits Dienst (similar to the US's Civilian Construction Corps).
Kenneth was "Executed while a POW", along with the other 6 POW's, during this march by a German Private named Erich Langer who had lost his wife & 3 children during an earlier raid on Hamburg. The guards that accompanied the crew did not intervene in the shooting.
He was awarded the Air Medal, Prisoner Of War Medal, and the Purple Heart.
He was originally interred in grave #D-5 in the Hero's Cemetery on Borkum Island and was later re-interred here.
Service # 32551563
Husband of Pauline A. Faber who resided in Kenmore, New York.
Historical Note #1: Following the war, civilians and military personnel were taken into custody and charged with violating the "Customs of War" and the Geneva Convention Article 2, for their assault and murder of the 7 POW. Three defendants were sentenced the death, others received prison sentences, some to life.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
Special thands to " Dwight "Andy" Anderson " for additional info concerning this crew & their fate!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Crew of B-17 #43-37909:
Danno, James W., Sgt, Ball Gunner, WA ~ " Executed "
Dold, William F., Sgt, Waist Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Faber, Kenneth, Sgt, Radioman, NY ~ " Executed "
Graham, Howard S., 2nd Lt, Bombardier, NY ~ " Executed "
Ingerson, Quentin F., 2nd Lt, Navigator, " POW "
Lambertus, William W., Sgt, Tail Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Myers, William J., 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, PA ~ " Executed "
Rachak, Kazmer, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top, " POW "
Walthall, Harvey M., 2nd Lt, Pilot, VA ~ " Executed "
Above crew listing by: John Dowdy & Russ Pickett
Lt Ingerson and Sgt Rachak were taken prisoner. Lt Ingerson landed near a German Panzer (armored) unit and was initially placed at Stalag III. Sgt Rachak was captured by a "home guard" unit and was being transported to Stalag IV. Early 1945 both Stalag III and IV were evacuated and the men had to march through the cold winter to other POW camps. Both Lt Ingersonand Sgt Rachak however survived the war and, eventually, were repatriated to the USA.
For the fate of the Crew of B-17G #43-38145 see:
White, Hugh S. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, TX
Crew link by: Russ Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historical Note #2:
486th was flying mission #65 to bomb Hamburg. Three crews were lost that day. 13 were taken as Prisoners of War, 7 died after a midair collision. Seven would survive that collision only to lose their lives after making a successful landing on the German island of Borkum in the North Sea. All seven were murdered while in captivity
On August 4th, 2003 the citizens of Borkum, Germany dedicated a memorial to a crew from the 486th. The crew was involved in a mid-air collision on August 4th, 1944, while on a mission to Hamburg. The other plane, #145, crashed with two survivors. #909, flown by the Walthall crew brought their ship under control and attempted to run for home. Two crewmen bailed out immediately following the mid-air, and became POWs, surviving the war. The remainder of the crew made an emergency landing on Borkum, and were also taken prisoner. As they were being prepared for shipment to the mainland, they were murdered.
He resided in Kenmore, Erie County, New York prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Army on October 5, 1942 in Buffalo, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a sheet metal worker and also as Married.
B-17 #43-37909 took off, with a crew of 9, from Sudbury, England on a bombing mission over Hamburg, Germany. Near the target they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and nosed over and collided with B-17G #43-38145. Only two of the crew members of B-17 #43-37909 were able to bailout and they both became German POW's.
2nd Lt. Harvey M. Walthall, the pilot, was able to bring the plane back under control and landed on the East Frisian Island of Borkum, Germany. After landing the remaining 7 crew members were captured and taken to the Ostland Flak Battery.
Following their interrogation, the crew was ordered to march through the town of Borkum, with their hands up, to an airfield on the southern end of the island. During this march they were abused and assaulted by civilians and workers of the Reichs Arbeits Dienst (similar to the US's Civilian Construction Corps).
Kenneth was "Executed while a POW", along with the other 6 POW's, during this march by a German Private named Erich Langer who had lost his wife & 3 children during an earlier raid on Hamburg. The guards that accompanied the crew did not intervene in the shooting.
He was awarded the Air Medal, Prisoner Of War Medal, and the Purple Heart.
He was originally interred in grave #D-5 in the Hero's Cemetery on Borkum Island and was later re-interred here.
Service # 32551563
Husband of Pauline A. Faber who resided in Kenmore, New York.
Historical Note #1: Following the war, civilians and military personnel were taken into custody and charged with violating the "Customs of War" and the Geneva Convention Article 2, for their assault and murder of the 7 POW. Three defendants were sentenced the death, others received prison sentences, some to life.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
Special thands to " Dwight "Andy" Anderson " for additional info concerning this crew & their fate!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Crew of B-17 #43-37909:
Danno, James W., Sgt, Ball Gunner, WA ~ " Executed "
Dold, William F., Sgt, Waist Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Faber, Kenneth, Sgt, Radioman, NY ~ " Executed "
Graham, Howard S., 2nd Lt, Bombardier, NY ~ " Executed "
Ingerson, Quentin F., 2nd Lt, Navigator, " POW "
Lambertus, William W., Sgt, Tail Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Myers, William J., 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, PA ~ " Executed "
Rachak, Kazmer, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top, " POW "
Walthall, Harvey M., 2nd Lt, Pilot, VA ~ " Executed "
Above crew listing by: John Dowdy & Russ Pickett
Lt Ingerson and Sgt Rachak were taken prisoner. Lt Ingerson landed near a German Panzer (armored) unit and was initially placed at Stalag III. Sgt Rachak was captured by a "home guard" unit and was being transported to Stalag IV. Early 1945 both Stalag III and IV were evacuated and the men had to march through the cold winter to other POW camps. Both Lt Ingersonand Sgt Rachak however survived the war and, eventually, were repatriated to the USA.
For the fate of the Crew of B-17G #43-38145 see:
White, Hugh S. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, TX
Crew link by: Russ Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historical Note #2:
486th was flying mission #65 to bomb Hamburg. Three crews were lost that day. 13 were taken as Prisoners of War, 7 died after a midair collision. Seven would survive that collision only to lose their lives after making a successful landing on the German island of Borkum in the North Sea. All seven were murdered while in captivity
On August 4th, 2003 the citizens of Borkum, Germany dedicated a memorial to a crew from the 486th. The crew was involved in a mid-air collision on August 4th, 1944, while on a mission to Hamburg. The other plane, #145, crashed with two survivors. #909, flown by the Walthall crew brought their ship under control and attempted to run for home. Two crewmen bailed out immediately following the mid-air, and became POWs, surviving the war. The remainder of the crew made an emergency landing on Borkum, and were also taken prisoner. As they were being prepared for shipment to the mainland, they were murdered.
Kenneth served as a Sergeant and Radio Operator / Gunner on B-17 #43-37909, 832nd Bomber Squadron, 486th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
He resided in Kenmore, Erie County, New York prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Army on October 5, 1942 in Buffalo, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a sheet metal worker and also as Married.
B-17 #43-37909 took off, with a crew of 9, from Sudbury, England on a bombing mission over Hamburg, Germany. Near the target they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and nosed over and collided with B-17G #43-38145. Only two of the crew members of B-17 #43-37909 were able to bailout and they both became German POW's.
2nd Lt. Harvey M. Walthall, the pilot, was able to bring the plane back under control and landed on the East Frisian Island of Borkum, Germany. After landing the remaining 7 crew members were captured and taken to the Ostland Flak Battery.
Following their interrogation, the crew was ordered to march through the town of Borkum, with their hands up, to an airfield on the southern end of the island. During this march they were abused and assaulted by civilians and workers of the Reichs Arbeits Dienst (similar to the US's Civilian Construction Corps).
Kenneth was "Executed while a POW", along with the other 6 POW's, during this march by a German Private named Erich Langer who had lost his wife & 3 children during an earlier raid on Hamburg. The guards that accompanied the crew did not intervene in the shooting.
He was awarded the Air Medal, Prisoner Of War Medal, and the Purple Heart.
He was originally interred in grave #D-5 in the Hero's Cemetery on Borkum Island and was later re-interred here.
Service # 32551563
Husband of Pauline A. Faber who resided in Kenmore, New York.
Historical Note #1: Following the war, civilians and military personnel were taken into custody and charged with violating the "Customs of War" and the Geneva Convention Article 2, for their assault and murder of the 7 POW. Three defendants were sentenced the death, others received prison sentences, some to life.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
Special thands to " Dwight "Andy" Anderson " for additional info concerning this crew & their fate!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Crew of B-17 #43-37909:
Danno, James W., Sgt, Ball Gunner, WA ~ " Executed "
Dold, William F., Sgt, Waist Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Faber, Kenneth, Sgt, Radioman, NY ~ " Executed "
Graham, Howard S., 2nd Lt, Bombardier, NY ~ " Executed "
Ingerson, Quentin F., 2nd Lt, Navigator, " POW "
Lambertus, William W., Sgt, Tail Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Myers, William J., 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, PA ~ " Executed "
Rachak, Kazmer, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top, " POW "
Walthall, Harvey M., 2nd Lt, Pilot, VA ~ " Executed "
Above crew listing by: John Dowdy & Russ Pickett
Lt Ingerson and Sgt Rachak were taken prisoner. Lt Ingerson landed near a German Panzer (armored) unit and was initially placed at Stalag III. Sgt Rachak was captured by a "home guard" unit and was being transported to Stalag IV. Early 1945 both Stalag III and IV were evacuated and the men had to march through the cold winter to other POW camps. Both Lt Ingersonand Sgt Rachak however survived the war and, eventually, were repatriated to the USA.
For the fate of the Crew of B-17G #43-38145 see:
White, Hugh S. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, TX
Crew link by: Russ Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historical Note #2:
486th was flying mission #65 to bomb Hamburg. Three crews were lost that day. 13 were taken as Prisoners of War, 7 died after a midair collision. Seven would survive that collision only to lose their lives after making a successful landing on the German island of Borkum in the North Sea. All seven were murdered while in captivity
On August 4th, 2003 the citizens of Borkum, Germany dedicated a memorial to a crew from the 486th. The crew was involved in a mid-air collision on August 4th, 1944, while on a mission to Hamburg. The other plane, #145, crashed with two survivors. #909, flown by the Walthall crew brought their ship under control and attempted to run for home. Two crewmen bailed out immediately following the mid-air, and became POWs, surviving the war. The remainder of the crew made an emergency landing on Borkum, and were also taken prisoner. As they were being prepared for shipment to the mainland, they were murdered.
He resided in Kenmore, Erie County, New York prior to the war.
He enlisted in the Army on October 5, 1942 in Buffalo, New York. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a sheet metal worker and also as Married.
B-17 #43-37909 took off, with a crew of 9, from Sudbury, England on a bombing mission over Hamburg, Germany. Near the target they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire and nosed over and collided with B-17G #43-38145. Only two of the crew members of B-17 #43-37909 were able to bailout and they both became German POW's.
2nd Lt. Harvey M. Walthall, the pilot, was able to bring the plane back under control and landed on the East Frisian Island of Borkum, Germany. After landing the remaining 7 crew members were captured and taken to the Ostland Flak Battery.
Following their interrogation, the crew was ordered to march through the town of Borkum, with their hands up, to an airfield on the southern end of the island. During this march they were abused and assaulted by civilians and workers of the Reichs Arbeits Dienst (similar to the US's Civilian Construction Corps).
Kenneth was "Executed while a POW", along with the other 6 POW's, during this march by a German Private named Erich Langer who had lost his wife & 3 children during an earlier raid on Hamburg. The guards that accompanied the crew did not intervene in the shooting.
He was awarded the Air Medal, Prisoner Of War Medal, and the Purple Heart.
He was originally interred in grave #D-5 in the Hero's Cemetery on Borkum Island and was later re-interred here.
Service # 32551563
Husband of Pauline A. Faber who resided in Kenmore, New York.
Historical Note #1: Following the war, civilians and military personnel were taken into custody and charged with violating the "Customs of War" and the Geneva Convention Article 2, for their assault and murder of the 7 POW. Three defendants were sentenced the death, others received prison sentences, some to life.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
Special thands to " Dwight "Andy" Anderson " for additional info concerning this crew & their fate!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Crew of B-17 #43-37909:
Danno, James W., Sgt, Ball Gunner, WA ~ " Executed "
Dold, William F., Sgt, Waist Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Faber, Kenneth, Sgt, Radioman, NY ~ " Executed "
Graham, Howard S., 2nd Lt, Bombardier, NY ~ " Executed "
Ingerson, Quentin F., 2nd Lt, Navigator, " POW "
Lambertus, William W., Sgt, Tail Gunner, NJ ~ " Executed "
Myers, William J., 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, PA ~ " Executed "
Rachak, Kazmer, S/Sgt, Engineer/Top, " POW "
Walthall, Harvey M., 2nd Lt, Pilot, VA ~ " Executed "
Above crew listing by: John Dowdy & Russ Pickett
Lt Ingerson and Sgt Rachak were taken prisoner. Lt Ingerson landed near a German Panzer (armored) unit and was initially placed at Stalag III. Sgt Rachak was captured by a "home guard" unit and was being transported to Stalag IV. Early 1945 both Stalag III and IV were evacuated and the men had to march through the cold winter to other POW camps. Both Lt Ingersonand Sgt Rachak however survived the war and, eventually, were repatriated to the USA.
For the fate of the Crew of B-17G #43-38145 see:
White, Hugh S. ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, TX
Crew link by: Russ Pickett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historical Note #2:
486th was flying mission #65 to bomb Hamburg. Three crews were lost that day. 13 were taken as Prisoners of War, 7 died after a midair collision. Seven would survive that collision only to lose their lives after making a successful landing on the German island of Borkum in the North Sea. All seven were murdered while in captivity
On August 4th, 2003 the citizens of Borkum, Germany dedicated a memorial to a crew from the 486th. The crew was involved in a mid-air collision on August 4th, 1944, while on a mission to Hamburg. The other plane, #145, crashed with two survivors. #909, flown by the Walthall crew brought their ship under control and attempted to run for home. Two crewmen bailed out immediately following the mid-air, and became POWs, surviving the war. The remainder of the crew made an emergency landing on Borkum, and were also taken prisoner. As they were being prepared for shipment to the mainland, they were murdered.
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