Ben Newman Kendall was born on December 14, 1919, in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas. He was the son of Owen Watts Kendall Sr. and Sarah Janette Newman Kendall. He served in the 718th Bomber Squadron, 449th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of B-24 #41-29217 during World War II.

On January 30, 1944, B-24 Liberator 41-29217 departed its base at Grottaglie, Italy, on a bombing mission against the German-held airfield at Udine in northern Italy. After completing the bombing run, the formation came under heavy attack from German fighters and anti-aircraft fire. The B-24 was severely damaged during the engagement and was observed losing altitude with its right wing burning as enemy fighters continued their attacks. Unable to remain with the formation, the crippled bomber descended toward the northern Adriatic coast and eventually crashed on Morgo Island in the Grado Lagoon, near Grado, Italy. Of the ten airmen aboard, nine were killed, while Staff Sergeant Harvey Gann was the sole survivor and was taken prisoner by German forces.

1Lt Kendall was killed in action and is now buried in the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Toscana, Italy.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, www.dpaa.mil, 449th Bombardment Group Historical Association, weremember.abmc.gov