Kenneth Lee Porter
Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
Kenneth Lee Porter | |
|---|---|
 Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter | |
| Born | 6 December 1896 Dowagiac, Michigan, USA |
| Died | 3 February 1988 Queens, New York City, USA |
| Section 67, Site 441, Arlington National Cemetery | Arlington, Virginia, USA |
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ | Air Service, United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 147th Aero Squadron |
| Battles/wars |  |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Croix de Guerre avec Palme |
World War I service
Porter was an engineering graduate from Michigan University 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]
Postwar
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]
References
- "Kenneth Porter". Theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- American Aces of World War I. p. 74–75.
- "Event in Brief". The Michigan Alumnus. University of Michigan. May 1919. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
Bibliography
- American Aces of World War I. Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, ISBN 978-1-84176-375-0.