|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN VF-40 |
Pilot Ensign Kenneth P. Babkirk, O-173715 USNR (MIA / KIA) Nashua, NH MIA January 17, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 26031. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SOPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to Fighting Squadron 40 (VF-40). No known nickname or markings. Mission History On January 17, 1944 took off from Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella piloted by Ensign Kenneth P. Babkirk on a bomber escort mission over Rabaul. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Memorials Babkirk was officially declared dead on January 14, 1946. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Babkirk is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery at section MK site 219. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 26031 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Kenneth P. Babkirk Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Kenneth P. Babkirk (grave photos) FindAGrave - Ens Kenneth P Babkirk (photo, tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - ENS Kenneth Paul Babkirk (photo, memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 18, 2024 |
 F6F  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
