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| P-38 pilot Kenneth Blum served in the 430th Fighter Squadron. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76148179/kenneth-v-blum http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/1072 |
Kenneth V. "Chase" Blum never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on January 30, 1919 in Fort Branch, Indiana. His parents Rudolph and Flora were also both born in Indiana. His father worked as a farmer. Kenneth had two older brothers and five younger sisters. By 1940 Kenneth had completed four years of high school and was working as a post office clerk while living with his parents.
He enlisted in the army on January 17, 1941. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces and was successful to qualify as a P-38 Lightning pilot. He became a first lieutenant in the 430th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. The 474th FG provided tactical air support to the US First Army. It operated out of Warmwell, England beginning in April 1944 until it moved its base to St. Lambert, France in August. By October it operated from Florennes.
During the Battle of the Bulge, Lt. Blum flew missions to target the Germans exposed in the Bulge. Lt. Blum was killed in action when his plane was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire on January 23, 1945.
His grave is at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch, Indiana.
Last year on this date I profiled P-47 pilot William Lowe. You can read about William 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
Lieut. Blum, thank you for your service to your country. You probably could've continued working as a post office clerk a little longer. But you chose to join the service. You picked a more dangerous branch of the service. You gave your life doing what you thought was your duty. We thank you. We are fortunate to have had such brave young men willing to do that! God bless you, and your family that I am sure missed you!
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