Kenneth J. Mears

Kenneth J. Mears (died 1943) was a staff sergeant of the Army Air Forces from Billerica who died in the bombing war over Europe. His name is among the twenty-nine World War II dead on the World War Memorials on the Town Common.

He served in the 334th Bombardment Squadron of the 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), a B-17 group of the Eighth Air Force flying from England. His death is dated August 17, 1943, the day the 95th flew the long shuttle raid on the Messerschmitt factory at Regensburg in Germany, crossing the Alps to land in North Africa; the Army later made a finding of death. He is buried in the Florence American Cemetery in Italy, Plot G, Row 3, Grave 16.

References

1. Honor States: S/Sgt Kenneth J. Mears, 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group; died 17 Aug 1943; Florence American Cemetery
2. National Archives: WWII Honor List of Dead and Missing, Massachusetts (Middlesex Co.): Mears, Kenneth J., 11089582, S/Sgt, FOD
3. Billerica Public Library: Military Memorials, WWII names on the Common memorial