Stephen Alexander Kish Jr. was born on August 6, 1916, in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. He was the son of Steve Kish and Rose Lutz Kish. He was married to Anne Veronica Markovich Kish. He served in the 335th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-17G #42-31561 nicknamed "Just Elmer's Tune," during World War II.

On February 24, 1944, during its mission targeting Rostock, Germany, "Just Elmer's Tune" sustained significant damage from anti-aircraft flak, which struck engine number one and damaged the stabilizer. Unable to maintain formation, the aircraft fell behind and was further attacked by enemy fighters. The crew was forced to crash-land near Øster Højst, south of Løgumkloster, Denmark. Of the ten crew members, two were killed in action and the remaining eight crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

Kish was captured by German forces and held as a prisoner of war. He concluded his military service as a First Lieutenant and later retired as a conservation education officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Additionally, he was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Outdoor Writers of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Writers' Association before passing away on November 25, 1988. 1Lt Kish is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, www.findagrave.com