A Dawn Like Thunder
Tornado Squadron EightA Dawn Like ThunderRobert J. MrazekWorld War II Navy PilotsBattle of Midway




Ensign Henry R. Kenyon (191?-1942)

KIA, Midway, June 4, 1942
Awarded Navy Cross

Henry Russell Kenyon, Jr. was born on February 4, 1916, in Bronxville, N.Y., and enlisted in the Navy on November 5, 1940. He accepted an appointment as an Aviation Cadet and was commissioned Ensign on August 4, 1941. After undergoing advanced flight training, “Rusty” Kenyon joined Torpedo Squadron 8. While training at Norfolk, he fell in love with a nurse at the Norfolk Naval Hospital. Her nickname was “Brownie.” He married her just before they left for the Pacific. “Rusty” Kenyon spent his last hours on the Hornet fashioning the base of a dresser lamp for his wife out of a brass cartridge case. His last letter home spoke of his excited anticipation of their first child.  

 

entire site copyright Robert J. Mrazek 2008