TRIBUTE TO OUR WWII HERO WHO NEVER MADE IT HOME

On October 4, 1943, while Ken was fighting in the South Pacific War with the VP-71 Black Cats, Donald, his younger brother by 6 years, was MIA/KIA over the North Sea.  

The 8th Air Force was based in England.  Their mission was two-fold: 1) destroy the Nazi Luftwaffe; and 2) bomb/destroy the Nazi war machine (factories, railroads, and communications), which they accomplished in less than 3 years, a

Donald's mother, Anna, and Barbara Main worked together in 1943. Anna told Barbara about her two sons in the War. Donald met Barbara, and her sister, Dolores, at their house. He contacted Ken, who was in the South Pacific, and said “you have to meet Dolores; she looks like Judy Garland!” They became pen-pals. Donald deployed to England 9/2/43, and was KIA 10/4/43. Ken/VP-71 transferred to NAS San 

Netherlands American Cemetery, Wall of the Missing where Donald's name is etched; flowers are placed by his Grave Adopter.  The grave adoption program began at the cemetery at the end of World War II. Around Memorial Day 1945, local Dutch citizens near Margraten began bringing flowers to graves to honor the American sacrifices. Now, every headstone and name on the Wall of the Missing is adopted. T