Kenneth Eugene Lebl was born on April 29, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Jerry Charles Lebl and Stella Barbara Zahora Lebl.
Kenneth served in the 862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator on the B-24 #42-94798 during World War II. It was the very first mission for the 493rd Bomb Group, based in Debach, England, when 36 B24s took off for their target on June 6, 1944. But when they reached their objective, a road and railroad crossing in Lisieux, France, the target was obscured by clouds. The decision was made to turn the planes back without dropping their bombs.
On their way home around 10:28, at 11,000 feet, 42-94798 collided with 44-40471 piloted by Cpt Jack Cooper. Both planes crashed into the west of the English Channel. A witness stated “the right-wing of A/C (aircraft) 471 struck the tail of A/C 789. A/C 471 was seen to disintegrate, and both A/C 471 and A/C 789 were seen to disappear into the overcast. One to two chutes were seen out of both A/C 471 and A/C 789.
All men aboard the two B-24s were killed, and all were declared as Missing in Action. These 20 airmen were memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France. But, as per MACR, Sgt Tuohy survived and was taken as a prisoner. 2Lt Lebl has a cenotaph located in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Illinois.
The crew of #42-94789:
1Lt Donald L. Russell Pilot
2Lt Lester Joseph Pavel Co-Pilot
2Lt Kenneth Eugene Lebl Navigator
2lt George W Sharman Bombardier
T/Sgt Roscoe Elonzo Wilson Radio Operator
T/Sgt Billy Mack Hollingsworth Mechanic
S/Sgt Tony Caddell Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt William Horace Smith Nose Turret Gunner
S/Sgt Charles M Jr Bujtor Waist Gunner
Sgt Dallas Lee Kincaid Tail Gunner
Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.ww2research.com