|
|
 |
| Kenney Nelson, WWII |
| |
| Recent Address: |
|
6310 Leisure Village, #6, Camarillo, CA 93012 |
| |
| Email: |
|
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|
| |
| Family Information: |
|
Parents: Carl and Wilma |
| |
| Hometown: |
|
San Francisco, CA |
| |
| Date Entered Service: |
|
September 8 1942 |
| |
| Service Number: |
|
19088145 |
| |
| Bomb Group: |
|
462nd |
| |
| Squadron: |
|
770th |
| |
| Location of Unit: |
|
Hays, KS October 1943 |
| |
| Missions Flown: |
|
5 over Japan - Chiba - Osaka - Utsunomiya - Kure- Kobe
|
| |
| Hump Missions Flown: |
|
4 |
| |
| Targets: |
|
|
| |
| Awards/Decorations: |
|
WWII - Air Medal, Presidential Unit Citations (2), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Bronze Star, Silver Star, European-African Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, China Memorial, Presidential Unit Citation weith 2 Bronze Stars.
After WWII- Air Force Commendation Medal (2), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2), Air Force Longevity Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, only one of eight to receive the Golden Medal from Emperor of Ethiopia for service teaching intelligence to both their Army/Air Force Staff Officers.
|
| |
| Service Schools Attended: |
|
Intelligence - January 1943 |
| |
| Military Specialty(ies): |
|
Intelligence Clerk/Photo Interpreter |
| |
| Rank Upon Discharge: |
|
Sergeant |
| |
| Crew Type: |
|
Intelligence Observer and Aerial Gunner Instructor
|
| |
| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
|
Bugs Bunnie "Whats Up Doc?. I was reassigned to another aircraft, and on the plane's next mission it was blowned out of the sky,
|
| |
| Were you a POW? |
|
No |
| If so, where? |
|
|
| |
| Were you interned? |
|
No |
| If so, where? |
|
|
| |
| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
|
|
| |
| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
|
|
| |
| Post-WWII Military Service: |
|
1948-1955. Joined Army as C.I.D. and C.I.C. agent, served seven years in Japan. In 1955 joined Air Force as Photo Interpreter and Instructor at Air Force Navigation School at Mather AFB (5 years). Transferred to Germany (4 years). Sent to Ethiopia (4 months) as Intelligence Instructor to their Army and Air Force officers. Two years as a Photo Interpreter at Westover AFB. Retired.. |
| |
| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
| Twelve years as a Photo Interpreter to Naval Intelligence, Washington DC. Retired, trained as gemologist and assistant manager for Bailey Bank Store. Ran own company "Gem Appraisal Laboratory" in Sequim, WA. Twelve years as Master Gardener for Washington and California. Tour guide for travel in China and the Pacific Rim. |
| |
| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
| It taught me to plan a job, do it without close supervision. Take pride in completing a job that was well done. In China I was the sole intelligence enlisted person at one base. Later I was an instructor to all the aerial gunners in our group aircraft I.D. |
| |
| Comments:
I was given as much responsibility as I could handle. This experience allowed me to take on tasks normally not assumed by a young inexperienced individual.
|
|
|
 |
| Kenney Nelson - 2000 |
| |
| |
| |
|
