Richard "Dick" Dale Kern
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Richard "Dick" Dale Kern served in World War II in Burma, China, and India. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from December 22, 1943, until November 23, 1945.
He was assigned to the 436th Bomb Squadron, 10th Air Force. He was a Staff Sergeant and tail gunner in B-24J “Liberator” bombers. He served one year overseas, and he and his crew had 300 combat flying hours.
Mr. Kern left from Bangor, Maine, and flew to India. In October 1944, they picked up B-24J “Liberator” aircraft in San Francisco. They flew bombing missions into Burma and French Indochina in December of the same year, and by the end of the year were transporting fuel for the “Flying Tigers” in China, where Mr. Kern celebrated his 19th birthday. They returned to India and bombed, among others, the bridge over the River Kwai.
He served 36 years in the Minnesota Air National Guard, from which he retired in 1980. His rank was Chief Warrant Officer 4.
Mr. Kern was awarded the: Air Medal with one oakleaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with four bronze battle stars and World War II Victory Medal.
He was born on December 29, 192_, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kern. He graduated from high school in 1946, after returning from the service.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran account (see below); original website entry (below)
Veteran account: Left from Bangor, Maine, to India. After we picked up B-24J in San Francisco in October. Then started bombing missions into Burma and French Indochina December 1944. Started bringing gas to fighter strips in China for the Flying Tigers. Celebrated 19th birthday in China, went back to India and continued bombing bridges, like the bridge on the River Kwai. We had 300 combat flying hours. Served 1 year overseas. Returned to U.S.
Original entry: Richard D. Kern of Duluth, Minnesota enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 22, 1943. He was a staff Sergeant and tail gunner in B-24 Liberator bombers with the 436th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force, in the China-Burma-India Theater. He recalls, "I had my 19th birthday in Luliang, China. The mission that was the most that I had was the bombing of the bridge over the river Kwai. Most of the missions were in Burma, Thailand and China."
Mr. Kern was awarded the: Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Service Medal with four bronze battle stars and World War II Victory Medal.
He was honorably discharged on November 23, 1945 at Santa Ana, Calif..
In his words, "I spent 36 years in the Minnesota National Guard in Duluth and Iron Range. Retired in 1981 as warrant officer W-4."
Source: Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 144.
