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name
SKEATS, Kenneth Joseph - Date of
birth
2 June 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
New York, New York County, New York -
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12120200 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
701st Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
21 November 1944 - Place of
death
8 miles north of Bremerhaven, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 16 | 16 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Archie Skeats (father)
Florence G. Skeats (mother)
William Skeats (brother)
Claire Skeats (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-100337 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
MACR: 10409
More information
Kenneth Skeats' father was a decorated WWI veteran and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with gilt star.He worked at Pan American Airways at LaGuardia Field as a mechanic.
He enlisted in New York City on 21 July 1942.
This was T/Sgt Skeats' 33rd mission.
Over Hamburg the aircraft was hit by flak. One engine was on fire. The plane was escorted by two P-47s of the 56th Fighter Group. The two fighters reported escorting the airplane to a point 8 miles north of Bremerhaven, where the wing and engine, which were on fire, fell off and the plane went down. There were no parachutes observed and the plane had previously lost use of its instruments. Despite no parachutes being observed two men (waist gunner and tail gunner) managed to bail out.
Skeats' body was delivered to the mortuary of the police of Wesermunde on 5 December and he was buried in the Station Cemetery of Wesermunde on 6 December 1944.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Robert W. Baumgardner, Jr., www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Cards, 1940 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten