Charles Kenneth “Kenny” Bailey was born on February 7, 1919, in Wynnewood, Garvin County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Francis N. Bailey. He was married to Doris Jean Pruett Bailey. He served in the 350th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 #42-5867 also known as 'Alice From Dallas' during World War II.

On August 17, 1943, during a mission targeting a Messerschmitt aircraft factory in Regensburg, Germany, the aircraft was hit over Belgium, leading to its crash near Genk. Two crew members perished, three were captured as prisoners of war, and five escaped with assistance from Belgian resistance groups, returning to England through the Comet Line, a network aiding Allied service members in evading Nazi capture.

SSgt Bailey evaded capture, spending several months with the underground resistance before returning to England. He returned to the US in March 1944 and spent the remainder of his service supporting US Army Air Forces training efforts. After the war, Bailey and his wife operated a restaurant in Oklahoma for several decades, and he passed away on August 15, 2004. TSgt Bailey is now buried in the Hillcrest Memorial Park, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma, USA.

Source of information: www.dvidshub.net, facebook:100th Bomb Group Foundation - "The Bloody Hundredth"