Kenton D. McFarland
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 1 August 1943, then-First Lieutenant Kenton D. McFarland was serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 409th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Ninth Air Force (Attached), U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 1LT McFarland’s unit was in action against German forces, while participating in a bombing mission against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, 1LT McFarland flew his B-24D Liberator (SN 41-23742) nicknamed "Liberty Lad" against impossible odds through heavy German fire and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. 1LT McFarland's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

[A total of 5 Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Service Crosses, among numerous other awards, were awarded for the 1 August 1943 low-level bombing mission of the Ploesti Oil Refineries, ranking it as perhaps the single-most decorated combat air mission of World War II.]

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Kenton D. McFarland, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 409th Bombardment Squadron, 93d Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, First Lieutenant McFarland flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant McFarland on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (1943)

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Kenton D. McFarland died on 4 May 2004. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 54, Site 3568.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49253896/kenton-d-mcfarland