Col. George H. Kneen
COL. GEORGE H. KNEEN, JR
1916-2012
US AIR FORCE
WWII, KOREA, VIETNAM
DIST. FLYING CROSS
LO MERIT-BRONZE STAR
George H. Kneen was born in Derby on May 30, 1916. He began
his distinguished military career in 1940 when he enlisted as an aviation
cadet in in the Army Air Corps (The Air Force as a separate branch of the
armed forces did not exist at that time.). He earned his pilot wings and
flew the famous B-26 bomber (some called it the "Widowmaker") on missions in
Africa and Europe. He flew 35 combat missions totaling 185 combat hours.
He participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa as a
pilot and squadron commander. He was also engaged in missions over Tunisia
and Sicily. For his efforts in leading a bombing run on the airdrome at
Patricia di Mare in Italy, he was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross
for "extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a pilot".
He stayed in the Air Force for 30 years holding numerous
command positions including a stint as Base Commander at Dobbins Air Force
Base in Georgia as well as numerous bomber, air refueling and troop carriers
around the world.
During the Korean War, he flew a total of 30 more combat
missions flying the Douglass B-26.
Receiving the Legion of Merit with his wife looking on
Knnen received many decorations for his serive including the
Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flyaing Cross, the Bronze Star and nine
separate Air Medals. He was also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff
College and the Air War College.
He retired from the Air Force and lived in Marietta, GA. He
was the first director of the Cobb County Youth Museum. He died on August
23, 2012.
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