Kenneth A. Klose

Brother to PFC Robert H. Klose who later died in France August 7, 1944 while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division and was Buried in Brittany American Cemetery.

Died while in MIA status.

From Fields of Honor Database (Updated daily):

KLOSE, Kenneth Albert

Service number: 37276328

Age: 23

Born: 19 May 1919, North Dakota

Hometown: Buchanan, North Dakota

Family:

August G. Klose (father)
Katherine A. (Ries) Klose (mother)
Frank W. Klose (brother)
Bernard E. Klose (brother)
Margaret A. Klose (sister)
Lambert H. Klose (brother)
Raymond A. Klose (brother)
Irene C. Klose (sister)
Eleanor E. Klose (sister)
Robert H. Klose (brother)
James A. Klose (brother)
Helen M. Klose (sister)
Audrey A. Klose (sister)

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Function: Tail Gunner

Regiment: -

Battalion: -

Division Transport: -

Company Squadron: 506th Bomber Squadron

Unit Group: 44th Bomber Group, Heavy

Plane data (Serial number, MACR, etc.):

Serial number: 41-24191
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Cactus
Destination: Wilhelmshaven Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR:

Date of death:  22 March 1943

Status: MIA

Place of death: Approximately 10 miles northwest of Baltrum Island, North Sea

Spot: Not available

Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart

Grave number: Walls of the Missing

Cemetery: American War Cemetery Margraten

Biography: -

Other information:

This was the first mission for the 506th Bomber Squadron as well as for this crew. Mission debriefing reports show that the aircraft was singled out for attack by FW 190's.

Eyewitness accounts stated:

"During the first attack from enemy aircraft, ship# 191 was hit in the # 4 engine, which caught fire and the ship began to lose altitude and leave the formation. Shortly afterwards, the #3 engine also caught fire and the ship headed for the Island of Baltrum, in the East Frisian group, off the coast of Germany in the North Sea. Eyewitnesses from the other crews in the formation reported seeing five chutes open from this aircraft prior to losing sight of this ship. This aircraft was last seen at approximately 10 miles northwest of Baltrum Island.

It is reasonable to conclude that the plane crashed in the water and that the men who parachuted from the airplane, as well as those who went down with it, were unable to reach land and that none of the crew survived beyond the date of their disappearance, 22 March 1943."

His brother Robert Harry Klose, Pfc, was killed on 7 August 1944 and is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery at St. James in France.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Michel Beckers, Roger Fenton VP/Historian 44th BGVA, Astrid van Erp, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers/Richard A. Klose