Kenneth Wayne Davis was born at Fairday, Virginia, the son of Beverly Herman Davis and Alta Mae Van Dyke. Husband of Emogene Edens and father of Carol Elaine Davis.

Staff Sergeant Davis was the Tail Turret Gunner on a B-24J Liberator bomber of the 15th Air Force, based in Italy, serial number 44-40570. The aircraft, piloted by Lt Bernard L. Ball, was on a pinpoint bombing mission to destroy a bridge in Yugoslavia, received  a direct flak burst in the waist section forward. The shell did not explode till it hit the roof inside the bomber, upon explosion it ripped open the waist, wiped out both waist guns, and severed the rudder cables. Lt Ball brought the plane in on her engines only, due to his controls being out. Both Waist Gunners were wounded and S/Sgt Davis killed.

The Johnson City Press, 25 January 1945
Memorial services for Staff Sgt. Kenneth Wayne Davis, who was killed in action over Yugoslavia last November 23, have been planned at South Side Baptist Church, the family announced today. Sergeant Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Davis of Elizabethton, attended city school here and was a member of the High School band. He entered the service June 26, 1943, and had trained at Keesler Field, Miss., Lowry Field, Colo., and Laredo and Biggs fields in Texas. He was assigned to services last August as tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber, flying with the 15th Air Force in Italy. His death resulted from flak wounds suffered on his 31st mission. His bombardment group is holder of the Distinguished Unit Badge and a Presidential Citation. Sergeant Davis was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. Besides his parents are a widow, Mrs. Emogene Edens Davis; a daughter, Carol Elaine, 17 months old; one sister, Mrs. Mack Morriss and one aunt, Mrs. W.T. Fuller.

  • Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Date of birth:
    • 27 April 1925
  • Date of death: 23 November 1944
  • County: Carter
  • Hometown: Elizabethton
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 717th Bomber Squadron, 449th Bomber Group
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Bottom Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Kenneth W. Davis

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