Haver Kenneth Eugene

Monuments

Executed Airmen Memorial- B-24(42-51967) 'Strange Cargo'

Name:

Kenneth Eugene Haver

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

15014005

Unit:

826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1945-03-04

State:

Ohio

Cemetery:

Dover Burial Park, Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Kenneth Eugene Haver was born on July 29, 1922, in Ohio. He was the son of Harry Van Buren Haver Sr. and Phyllis John Haver. He served in the 826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-24J #42-51967 nicknamed ''Strange Cargo'' during World War II.

On March 4, 1945, the B-24 Strange Cargo was hit by flak during a bombing mission over Graz, Austria, tearing off its nose turret and sending it into a spin. Two crew members died in the aircraft, while others bailed out. Of those who parachuted to safety, two were taken as POWs, but four were murdered after capture. When local police refused an SS order to execute the Americans, a German soldier killed four of them.

SSgt Haver was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Dover Burial Park, Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information:paulmcguire1.com, aircrewremembered.com, www.findagrave.com