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Castleiord’s Aerial Sharpshooter, Ma/. H. G. Senften, Presumed DeadCASTLEFORD -Maj. Harold G. Senften has been presumed deadftB of Aug. 19. 1944. nrcordlng to a letter from the war department received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. R, Senften of Caatleford.Major Senften war a member of a crew of a B-29 lt;Marauder i bomber which left Sardinia on a bombardment mission over France, Aug. 19. While over the target, the bomber sustained damage from enemy anti • aircraft, fire. The plane continued to sea and was seen to fall 600 feet and then break In half In mid air. The letter received by the Senftens did not mention the two parachutes previously reported to have been »een leaving the plan. Major Senften was reported missing from that date. Aug. 19. 1944.Major Senften had completed 85 missions by July 31. 1»44. He held the distinguished flying cross, 16 oak teaf clusters, the medal for meritorious achievement, a silver star, and the purple heart. He served In the famous precision blasting 219th bomb group, which had the unique honor of receiving two presidential citations. A bulletin says his unit “had a reputation for aerial sharpshooting. . . . it began operations with low level attack on Sfox Nov. 28, 1942. . . . During the Tunisian campaign ihp group sank nine ships in skip bombing attacks. Two waves . . . attacked the Monte Caasino mon-eatery Feb. IB. Picked with other B-20 units to knock out the Florence rail yards without damaging cultural objects, the 319th twice centered tight bomb patterns on tracks, freight cars and warehouses without a single bomb endangering religious or cultural monuments.''On Aug. 8. 1044. Major Benften was decorated with the “Croix de Guerre Avec Palme by order of General De Gaulle. This citation was made for outstanding part in preparation of Allied offensive in Italy which began on March 11, 1944, by attacking and destroying objectives in support of the French army deepite untold hardship,M according to a letter sent to the flier's’ parent*.Major Benften was bom and raised in this community. He was29 years old He attended the Castleford schools and graduated from the high school in 1933. After graduation he attended a diesel school in Portland nnd received a diploma from there He entered the University of rda.ho and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1938 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the ROTC.In December, 1939, he entered the Army air corps as an aircadet and won his wing* the next September at Kelly Field. Texa/j. He was stationed at MarDill field, Tampa, Fla. He served 18 months in the Panama canal zone. From there he was sent to British Guinea for 18 months. In January, 1943, he returned to the United States and spent a short furlough with his parents. He was than sent, to MacDIll Field, in Florida, where he served ha a squadron Instructor. In August he was sent to Sardinia.Surviving besides his parents are two brothers, Capt. Leo. H, Senften with the Army in the Philippines, and Lt. Eugene R. Senften, Love field, Texas, and two sisters, Mrs. John C. Parke and Mr*. George Blick of Castle-ford, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. I. Smlthwick of Battle Mountain. Nev.The family reaueeUi that no memorial sendees fee held.Jaycees to Speak On Major IssuesLAS VEGAS, Nev.—The Junior Chamber of Commerce will take a public stand on auestiona of broad national interest, It wa a made known here by Henry Kearns of Pasadena, Calif. president of the organization.Kearns’ announcement, revealing a step unprecedented among service clubs, followed a sectional institute which brought Jaycees to Las Vegas from Arizona. California, Nevada, New Mexico, and 'Utah.He mentioned compulsory military training as a pressing matter of national importance and predicted that the Junior Chamber’s j first. announcement will be Issued :
Newspaper Details
Twin Falls Telegram
Twin Falls, Idaho, US
Thu, Aug 30, 1945
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Patricia J.
OH, USA 27 Apr 2018
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