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| Lt. Thomas Meeks was the navigator of the B-17 Klo Kay on its first and only mission. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87013853/thomas-jefferson-meeks http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3640 |
Thomas Jefferson Meeks never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 23, 1919 in North Carolina. His parents Lester and Elvira were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. Thomas had one older sister, five younger brothers, and five younger sisters. By 1940 Thomas was living at home and had completed four years of college at East Carolina Teacher's College.
He enlisted in the Army Air Forces on August 17, 1941. He became a second lieutenant and navigator in the 410th Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. Lt. Meeks and the 94th arrived in England in April 1943. He flew with the very first 94th BG mission of the war in June.
On June 13, 1943 the 4th Air Wing assigned 60 bombers to hit the U-boat pens at Kiel Germany. One of those planes was B-17 #42-29705 nicknamed Klo Kay, with Lt. Meeks acting as navigator. It was shot down by German fighter planes and crashed near Preetz, seven miles south-east of Kiel. The pilot became a POW. The other nine men, including Lt. Meeks were killed. Out of 60 planes on the mission, 21 others besides Klo Kay were shot down and another 24 returned to England damaged. Prior to this mission, the Army Air Force was of the opinion that the heavily armed B-17s would be able to hold their own. This mission proved that they would need fighter escorts.
His grave is at Greenwood Cemetery in Greenville, North Carolina.
Last year on this date I profiled Okinawa fallen Gerald Baker, USS Hugh W. Hadley. You can read about Gerald 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
RIP Lt. Meeks
ReplyDeleteI lost my uncle to the sea . Their America When the call came they went Love of Country love of God was greater then love of self
ReplyDeleteRIP
ReplyDeleteThis was my great uncle. I admire his sacrifice and wish he is never forgotten.
ReplyDeleteRIP
Scott Mcgowan
Feel free to add any more details about your uncle.
DeleteHe was my uncle
ReplyDeleteWould you like his story added to the www.storiesbehindthestars.org project? I can get you details. don@storiesbehindthestars.org
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