Charles Feagles Kenyon

Second Lieutenant, United States Army Air Force

Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster & Purple Heart

Charles was the son of Henry Russell Sr., and Emily Timlow Feagles Kenyon who married 24 April 1913 in Saugerties, Ulster, NY. His siblings were Emily Dawley, Henry Russell "Rusty" Jr., Burt Perrin, and Donald Kenyon. Henry Sr was a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. He became an architect. Charles' 3 brothers served in the US Navy. Henry and Burt in WWII and Donald enlisted in 1953.

Charles graduated from high school about 1938. He was employed as a mail clerk prior to his enlistment in the US Army on 09 Jan 1942 in Camp Upton, Yaphank, Suffolk, NY. After basic training he was selected for officer training in the US Army Air Corps. He attended officer basic training and commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He trained as a bombardier/navigator. After his training, Lt Kenyon was stationed at Vickers Proving Group, Clovis, NM in May 1943. Several months later, Lt Kenyon was assigned to the 9th Air Force, 376th Bomb Group (Heavy), 512th Squadron overseas and combat duty.

During a bombing mission to Sulmona, Italy on 03 Sep 1943, Lt Kenyon's B-24D went missing. A witness said that he saw seven men bail out after the plane had been hit by anti-aircraft fire. He said that the plane was still under control when the seventh man bailed out, but he (the witness) became distracted because of the proximity of enemy fighters and didn't know if any of the other crewmen bailed out. He also said that he observed a large hole at the base of the right wing. At that time, all the engines were running.

Lt Kenyon was reported missing in action on 03 Sep 1943 while flying in B-24D serial #42-40318 enroute to a bombing mission of Sulmona, Italy. According to the missing Air Crew report dated 07 Sep 1943, the aircraft was believed lost after being hit by rocket shells. Lt Kenyon was (posthumously) awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd award), Purple Heart, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Army Air Force Distinguished unit badge and World War II Victory Medal.

His name is inscribed on the memorial of the missing at Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy

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The Daily Argus, Mount Vernon, N.Y., Friday May 14, 1943.

News About Our Men In Uniform

Lt Charles Kenyon Had Recent Leave

Lieutenant Charles F Kenyon, son of Mr and Mrs H. Russell Kenyon, 115 Overlook Street, spent a recent leave with his parents. He is a navigator with the Army Air Corps and was stationed at Vickers Proving Group, Clovis, New Mexico. He expects to enter combat duty shortly. He is the brother of Ensign H. Russell Kenyon, Jr., who was a pilot for the Navy, and who has been reported missing since the Battle for Midway in June, 1942. Another brother, Burt Kenyon, has enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and is awaiting call for active service.

Original article edited for content.

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The men of B-24D serial #42-40318 and their positions

Officers

Beville, Eugene L. Pilot 1st Lt Denver, CO

Bevan, Jr., Walter E. Copilot F/O West Chester, PA

Kenyon, Charles F. Navigator 2nd Lt Mt. Vernon, NY

Mehlman, Jack (NMI) Bombardier 2nd Lt Chicago, IL

Enlisted

Nelson, Donald S. Engineer T/Sgt Engineer Baltimore, MD

Ruffino, Louis J. Radio Operator T/Sgt Middletown, CT

Campbell, Walter G. Tail Gunner S/Sgt Philadelphia, PA

Post, Robert C. Assistant Engineer S/Sgt Portland, OR

Jacobs, Issac (NMI) Assistant Radio Opr. S/Sgt Orefield, PA

Isaacs, Paul Armorer/Gunner/Ball Turret S/Sgt Norwood, OH

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The Daily Argus Mount Vernon, NY Thursday, 18 April 1946

Mrs Kenyon Gets Award For Late Son Tomorrow

An Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster posthumously awarded to Second Lieutenant Charles F Kenyon, Army Air Force bombardier-navigator, will be presented to his mother, Mrs H Russell Kenyon of 115 Overlook Street, tomorrow at Mitchel Field, L.I.

Lieutenant Kenyon was reported missing Sept. 3, 1943, while serving as a navigator aboard a B-24 Liberator in the Middle East. Accompanying Mrs Kenyon to the ceremony will be Mr Kenyon, two sons, former Navy Ensign Burt P. Kenyon and Donald Kenyon; a daughter, Miss Emily D Kenyon, and Mrs Kenyon's mother, Mrs N.R. Feagles. The Kenyon's oldest son, Ensign H. Russell Kenyon, a member of Navy Torpedo Squadron 8, was killed in the Battle of Midway.

Original article edited for content.

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