Kenneth A. Jeffers was born on June 7, 1920 in New Hartford, New York. His father was Allen D. Jeffers (1884-1954) and his mother was Grace W. Delancett (1888-1953). They were married on December 19, 1910 in Oneida County, New York. Based on the New York State 1925 Census the family, including Kenneth’s younger sisters, Ida W. Jeffers and Edrie L. Jeffers, was residing in the town (township) of Augusta, located in Oneida County, New York. Allen was working on a farm. The 1930 U.S. Census shows the family continuing to live in Augusta but now residing with Allen’s parents. According to the 1940 U.S. Census, Kenneth was residing in Bainbridge, Delaware County, New York in 1935. He would have been 15 years old at the time and was not living with his parents who were still residing in Augusta in 1935. The U.S. Census also shows Kenneth being in Oneonta, Otsego, New York in 1940. His 1941 Registration Card identified his occupation as a motion picture projectionist working at the Palace Theater on Main Street, Oneonta. A newspaper article about his death indicated that he had been a boarder at a Mr. and Mrs. Albert Park’s home for a period of five years, basically from 1936 to 1940 in Oneonta. In 1940 he was 20 years old and had been living on his own for the past five years.

Kenneth A. Jeffers was born on June 7, 1920 in New Hartford, New York. His father was Allen D. Jeffers (1884-1954) and his mother was Grace W. Delancett (1888-1953). They were married on December 19, 1910 in Oneida County, New York. Based on the New York State 1925 Census the family, including Kenneth’s younger sisters, Ida W. Jeffers and Edrie L. Jeffers, was residing in the town (township) of Augusta, located in Oneida County, New York. Allen was working on a farm. The 1930 U.S. Census shows the family continuing to live in Augusta but now residing with Allen’s parents. According to the 1940 U.S. Census, Kenneth was residing in Bainbridge, Delaware County, New York in 1935. He would have been 15 years old at the time and was not living with his parents who were still residing in Augusta in 1935. The U.S. Census also shows Kenneth being in Oneonta, Otsego, New York in 1940. His 1941 Registration Card identified his occupation as a motion picture projectionist working at the Palace Theater on Main Street, Oneonta. A newspaper article about his death indicated that he had been a boarder at a Mr. and Mrs. Albert Park’s home for a period of five years, basically from 1936 to 1940 in Oneonta. In 1940 he was 20 years old and had been living on his own for the past five years.

In December 1942, the 93rd Bomb Group shifted its mission south to North Africa. Hot Stuff with its crew was initially assigned to a primitive airfield in Tafraoui, Algeria with dirt runways. Later it was transferred to Gambut Main, a remote airfield in the Libyan Desert. It flew 17 missions from Tafraoui and Gambut Main, bombing targets in Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Kenneth was decorated for his meritorious service on these bombing missions.

Hot Stuff was the first heavy bomber in the 8th Army Air Force to complete twenty-five combat missions in Europe, a feat that it accomplished three-and-a-half months before the widely recognized B-17 "Memphis Belle" completed twenty-five missions. After its 31 missions, Hot Stuff and her crew were assigned to return the States to promote the sale of War Bonds and participate in morale-boosting tours.

In 1943, General of the Army, George Marshall summoned Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, Commander of the European Theater of Operations to return to Washington D.C. Andrews with his immediate staff hitched a ride on Hot Stuff’s flight back to the states. This change resulted in five of the regular crew members being bumped from the flight. The flight was supposed to refuel at Prestwick, Scotland, before making the long flight across the Atlantic Ocean. However, the decision was made to skip Prestwick and refuel at Reykjavik, Iceland.

Upon arriving in Iceland, they encountered severe weather conditions. Snow squalls, low clouds and rain made visibility extremely difficult. They attempted to land at the Royal Air Force station at Kaldadarnes, Iceland but had to abort due to weather. Shortly thereafter Hot Stuff crashed into the side of Mount Fagradalsfjall, near Grindavik, Iceland. Thirteen were killed in the crash including Tech. Sgt. Kenneth A. Jeffers; only the tail gunner survived. Kenneth was 23 years old. He is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Oriskany Falls, Oneida County, New York.  He was awarded the Purple Heart and NY State Conspicuous Service Medal posthumously. 

As a footnote, General Andrews had been selected to command the entire Allied Force in Europe and was to be in charge of the invasion of Normandy. His death was a major setback but the war in Europe was at its peak. General George Marshall immediately replaced Andrews with General Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower, and thereby, established the stage for a series of future events in U.S. history.

If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact James Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com.

Sources

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70809382/kenneth_allen-jeffers: accessed February 3, 2025), memorial page for TSGT Kenneth Allen Jeffers (7 Jun 1920–3 May 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 70809382, citing Hillside Cemetery, Oriskany Falls, Oneida County, New York, USA; Maintained by Marilyn Kosanke (contributor 47035071). 

National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 00801; Reel: 73

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147

New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 01; Assembly District: 03; City: Boonville; County: Oneida; Page: 13

New York State Department of Health; Albany, NY, USA; New York State Birth Index

New York State Military Museum; Saratoga Springs, New York; Record of Award of Medal, 1920-1991

Year: 1930; Census Place: Augusta, Oneida, New York; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0004; FHL microfilm: 2341354

Year: 1940; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02717; Page: 61A; Enumeration District: 39-44

Supporting Files