Kenneth McCullum Joye was born on July 5, 1924, in Columbia, South Carolina. He was married to Betty Rose Hamiter Joye. He was the father of Glyn Cameron Joye. He served in the 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 (42-102485) nicknamed 'Bare Essentials' during World War II.

On May 28, 1944, while on a mission to bomb Dessau, Germany, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire (flak), causing a fire on board. Despite the crew’s efforts to control the situation, they were forced to crash-land near Groenekan in the Netherlands. Several crew members lost their lives, while the survivors were captured and taken as prisoners of war. During this period, the group carried out numerous strategic bombing missions across Europe.

SSgt Joye was among those captured and taken as a prisoner of war. He was held at Stalag Luft 4 in Pomerania, Prussia. He ended his military service as a Technical Sergeant. TSgt Joye died on January 26, 1990, and is now buried in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, USA.

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, www.americanairmuseum.com, aad.archives.gov