Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Lenton
Foy
Kirkland
, Jr.
MIA (WWII) KIA
1920

–

December 25, 1944

Born:

Westgreen

, 

Georgia

Home:

Westgreen

, 

Georgia

Buried: 

Henri-Chapelle

, 

Belgium

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Henri-Chapelle (Wall of the Missing)

During World War II, Lenton Kirkland became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, before he was himself shot down on December 25, 1944, and listed as missing in action.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    429th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    474th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 32 (February 24, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lenton Foy Kirkland, Jr. (ASN: 0-755964), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Kirkland, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    429th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    474th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lenton Foy Kirkland, Jr. (ASN: 0-755964), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    429th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    474th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lenton Foy Kirkland, Jr. (ASN: 0-755964), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.