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| Leland Knowles in B-29 at NEAM, 2001 |
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| Recent Address: |
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8958 S.E. Star Island Way, P.O. Box 214, Hector, NY 14841, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 |
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| Email: |
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| Family Information: |
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Parents: Harry and Mina; Wife: Margaret; Children: Fay, Dona |
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| Hometown: |
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Watkins Glen, NY |
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| Date Entered Service: |
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April 4 1944 |
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| Service Number: |
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42094680 |
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| Bomb Group: |
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444th |
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| Squadron: |
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676th |
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| Location of Unit: |
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Davis-Monthan, Tucson, AZ 1944 |
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| Missions Flown: |
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19 |
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| Hump Missions Flown: |
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| Targets: |
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Kawanishi, Osaka (2), Omuta, Toyashima, Yokohama, Kure, Takamatsu, Chiba, Namazu, Fukui, Tsu (2), Yawata, Hikari, Yokohama (POW Supply), Food drop over Japan |
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| Awards/Decorations: |
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Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation |
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| Service Schools Attended: |
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Aerial Gunnery School-Ft. Myers, FL Sep 1944 |
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| Military Specialty(ies): |
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MOS 611-Aerial Gunner, MOS 521-Airman Basic |
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| Rank Upon Discharge: |
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Corporal |
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| Crew Type: |
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Flight crew |
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| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
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44-61546 Hun-Da-Gee |
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| Were you a POW? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Were you interned? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
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| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
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November 1945 |
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| Post-WWII Military Service: |
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| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
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Worked in IBM Corp. Single spindle drill press operator, operated gear cutting lathe and drill press. Did own set-up work, worked on aluminum, stainless steel and read blue prints.
Prior to his retirement, he owned and operated Lee Knowles, Inc. for 52 years. He served as president of the Southern Tier Home Builders Assoc. and was a member of several organizations, including, West Corners Firemen, Mechanics Club of Montour Falls, Elks of Stuart, FL, Red Men of Watkins Glen, V.F.W. of Hobe Sound, FL, 58th Bomb Wing Reunions, Endicott Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and Odd Fellows of Union, NY, and American Legion Post 1700 of West Endicott, NY. He enjoyed sailing, boating and fishing at his favorite place, Seneca Lake. He also enjoyed carving wooden birds and inventing things.
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| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
| Very proud I served for our country. |
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| Comments: |
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Mr. Knowles passed away on July 1st 2012. He is buried at Seneca Union Cemetery in Valois, NY.
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