Kempner Saul J.

Name:

Saul J. Kempner

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-702095

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-08-12

State:

Michigan

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Plot:

Section 15-A

Row:

Grave:

77

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Saul J. Kempner was born on September 1, 1919, in New York County, New York. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of a B-17 #42-107191 ''Tomahawk Warrior'' during World War II.

On August 12, 1944, Tomahawk Warrior embarked on its 25th combat mission, targeting sites in France. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced mechanical issues, with two of its four engines catching fire. Despite the dire situation, the pilot managed to steer the failing bomber away from populated areas, ultimately crashing into a field at Lude Farm near Penn, Buckinghamshire. All nine crew members aboard perished in the crash.

2Lt Kempner is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. Saul J. Kempner's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 12, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org