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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Kathleen Machowski

Kenneth Neary was born in Hawley, MA on April 19, 1924, the youngest of six siblings.

In September 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18. He went through boot camp at Parris Island, SC. He attended aviation machinist school in Jacksonville, FL for 6 months. Following that he was in charge of a servicing crew at Quantico, VA for approximately 2 years.

Next, he was sent overseas for 13 months where he was in charge of making sure Corsairs were airworthy in Guam and in Okinawa, Japan. The mission of the Corsairs was to protect United States bombers from enemy ships, to shoot down enemy planes, and to make strafing runs. The Corsairs held one occupant per plane and often travelled in formations of 4 to 6 planes for mutual protection. At times, they would get damaged or show weaknesses in combat. Our mission was to repair them.

After the Japanese surrender, he had enough points to be discharged from the service so he was sent home from Japan and discharged in San Diego, CA.