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| Lt. Kenneth Halverson flew C-47s in the 27th Air Transport Group. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12627285/kenneth-vernon-halverson http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/237 |
Kenneth Vernon Halverson never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 28, 1918 in South Dakota. His parents Herb and Emma were born in Minnesota and South Dakota, respectively. His father worked as a telephone exchange wire chief and later as a road building truck driver. He died in 1938. Kenneth had two older sisters, one older brother, and one younger brother. By 1940 Kenneth had completed three years of high school and was living with his mother and brothers while working as a clerk for the Union County Highway Department.
He enlisted in the army on January 27, 1943. He married Betty Jean Phelps on November 14, 1943. He became a second lieutenant and served in the 27th Air Transport Group, 302nd Transport Wing which was equipped with C-47 Skytrains.
On November 7, 1944, Lt Halverson was a crewman, and possibly the pilot, on a C-47 Skytrain on a flight from England to Marseille. Weather was poor that day and the plane crashed into Mount Tournette. The wreckage fell under a waterfall where it was frozen in ice until the next spring. The remains of the crew of four or five, including Lt. Halverson, were recovered at that time.
His grave is at Elk Point Cemetery in Elk Point, South Dakota. His widow married one of Kenneth's brothers, a marriage that lasted nearly 50 years, and died in 2008.
In 2012 his daughter left the following remembrance at the public website findagrave.com:
Although I never met you, I have mourned, cried, prayed and can't wait til the day I can meet you in heaven.Mom died 2 years ago and your brothers died too. I am your only living relative and I am 67 now so it should be soon we will be together...I love you Dad.
Last year on this date I profiled triple Purple Heart hero Russell Jones. You can read about Russell here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Everyone I read on this website is heartbreaking but that note from Mr. Halverson's daughter definitely made me tear up. Thanks for your service Mr. Halverson.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you sir... and thank you. . And to your family. .
ReplyDeleteHis daughter made me tear up too.
ReplyDelete