Kenneth Raymond Lorch was born on May 14, 1920, in Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was the son of George Ludwig Lorch and Blanch May Foley Lorch. He was the husband of Marjorie L. Friel Lorch. He served in the 350th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier 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.

2Lt Lorch evaded capture for eight months, assisting the French Underground in establishing helper networks before eventually being captured and sent to Stalag Luft III in Sagan-Silesia, Bavaria. He later retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. LtCol Lorch died on January 15, 1987, and is now buried in the Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, Dakota County, Minnesota, USA.

Source of information and photo: www.dvidshub.net, www.americanairmuseum.com