Emerson Harvey Kieswetter was born on 13 February 1918 in Edmonton, Edmonton Census Division, Alberta, Canada. He was the son of Thomas Milton Kieswetter and Katherine Henderson (nee Sutherland) Kieswetter, of Seattle, Washington.
Emerson was an American citizen who participated in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He held the rank of Pilot Officer and served as an Air Observer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was killed in action at the age of 24 while attached to no. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Bomber Command) when his flak damaged Short & Harland Sterling MK I (R9168) was attacked by German night fighters and crashed at Gortel, the Netherlands during a bombing raid to Diepholz, Germany on 16 December 1942.
The other members of the crew were:
Pilot - Pilot Officer F. S. Millen J/16197 RCAF
Flight Engineer - Sergeant G. C. G. Hutton 576008 RAF
Bomb Aimer - Sergeant R. H. McKillop NZ404389 RNZAF
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - Pilot Officer R. N. Holmes J/16538 RCAF
Mid Upper Gunner / P/O. H.E. Hill J/16537 RCAF
Rear Gunner - Sergeant J. F. Perring 539068 RAF (prisoner of war)
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.fieldsofhonor-database.com