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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
World War II Veteran’s story fills Dover Museum with listeners
“Standing Room Only“ was not just an expression at the D. Kenneth Shelledy presentation given by his children Joan and Jim. The museum ran out of folding chairs.
Joan began the visit. She focused on the collection of letters saved by Kenneth’s mother. He wrote frequently. The collection also held the letters she wrote to him. It was interesting to hear his reaction to his own words when he arrived home from the war.
When rereading the letters he sent home, Joan shared some of his dismay as described by his mother to her in later years. He apologized for complaining so much and for some of the disparaging remarks he had made about some of his fellow soldiers. The audience was a bit amused by his descriptions of receiving so much clothing at one time. Being a depression era child receiving 5 pair of woolen and 3 pair of cotton socks all at one time was indeed unbelievable.
His test scores were quite high and of course his hand on knowledge of equipment stood him in good stead. Kenneth had intended to enter the Army Air Corp immediately but his Basic led him to stay in the Army for the first part of his career. It was only later that he applied for the Army Air Corp and became a navigator.
Jim took over the story when he entered the Air Corp. Navigation training is quite extensive and impressive. Dead reckoning was explained but made us all a bit nervous. Realizing the size of an island in the huge Pacific Ocean and the consequences of missing it are unthinkable. Jim emphasized how important Kenneth felt it was to make sure his pilots and crew were confident in his ability to get them to target and back to base. On one mission, the plane was damaged. The pilot thought he could bring it in but they were 2 miles short when they ditched. Not all survived.
Many in the audience had known Kenneth or had relatives who were good friends with him. The mini-reunion after the presentation was nearly as interesting as the presentation.
While the words were not spoken on this particular Sunday, it was apparent to many were remembering the words of Tom Brokaw. “It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced.” His argument that our men and women fought not for fame or recognition but because it was the “right thing to do.”
In the book, Brokaw wrote that " it is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced." His argument that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do." Was very apparent in every action Kenneth Shelledy took throughout his life.
