Alvis O'Neil “Cotton” Kitchens was born on January 5, 1925, in Quitman County, Mississippi. He was the son of Alvis Paul Kitchens and Lena Mae Yarbrough Kitchens. He was married to Evelyn Wooley Kitchens. He served in the 702nd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-24 #42-50961 during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, B-24 Liberator #42-50961 was lost during the catastrophic Kassel mission over Germany. The aircraft departed RAF Tibenham as part of the 445th’s formation assigned to bomb the Henschel armored vehicle and industrial works at Kassel. During the approach to the target, navigational problems caused the 445th Bomb Group to drift away from the main bomber stream and lose the protection of its long-range fighter escort. After completing the bombing run and turning for home, the isolated bombers were intercepted by large formations of German fighters, including Fw 190s and Bf 109s. Repeated, close-range attacks devastated the formation over central Germany, particularly around the Werra Valley region. B-24 #42-50961 was among the Liberators destroyed in the intense aerial battle and crashed in Germany. Ten of the 12 crew members survived by parachuting near Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

SSgt Kitchens successfully bailed out and was captured by German forces, becoming a prisoner of war at Stalag 9C Bad Sulza, Saxe-Weimar. He died on October 26, 2001, and is now buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, rafb24.com