Kenneth Lee Porter | |
---|---|
Born | 6 December 1896 Dowagiac, Michigan, US |
Died | 3 February 1988 Queens, New York City, US |
Section 67, Site 441, Arlington National Cemetery | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service | Air Service, United States Army |
Years of service | 1917–1919 |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | 147th Aero Squadron |
Battles / wars | World War I |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Croix de Guerre avec Palme |
Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. [1]
Porter was an engineering graduate from the University of Michigan who joined the U.S. Army Air Service in August 1917. He reported to the 147th Aero Squadron in February 1918. [2] While on patrol with Ralph O'Neill and four other American pilots, they shot down a Pfalz D.III over Château Thierry on 2 July. After switching his Nieuport 28 for a Spad XIII, Porter would score four more times, from 28 September through 12 October 1918, sharing his scores with Wilbert White, Francis Simonds, and three other pilots. He also became a Flight Commander. [1] He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. [3]
He worked for Burroughs Corporation and the Pesco Pump Co. in New York until World War II. During the war, he worked with Boeing. Afterwards, he returned to civilian engineering. [2]
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