Charles Franklin Kinsey

Charles Franklin Kinsey '"" born November 4, 1923 in Williamstown, Pennsylvania; passed on January 18, 2006 in Denver, Colorado. Oldest son of Venus and Ray Kinsey; brothers Joseph, and Herbert. Venus and Ray divorced. She married Hale Polm. Ray married Marion, moved to Florida and they had a son, David. Frank grew up in Williamstown with his brothers. All three brothers enlisted when the United States went to war. Frank and Joe enlisted in the Army Air Force and Herb in the Navy. Frank was stationed in India as a gunner on a B24 bomber. He was assigned to the 493rd Bomber squadron, the 7th Bombardment Group. He flew over 54 missions in the China Burma India theatre. They bombed the Japanese supply lines coming through Thailand and Burma along roads, railroads and bridges. He saw and lost many of his friends in this war. He received the Air Medal with an Oak Leaf cluster and the Distinquished Flying Cross with an Oak Leaf cluster. Over the course of his enlistment he received the Good Conduct medal with five loops and an AF Commendation Medal for his services. The air fight for which he won his Distinquished Flying Cross was depicted in a booklet published by the United States Air Force titled 'Outstanding Airmen of World War II', dated 8/26/1948. His diaries of his stay in India are filled with the strangeness of the land, people, and situation they found themselves in. The heartache and pain of each mission and each man lost - the longing to be home. Frank met his wife in Denver, Colorado before being sent overseas to India. They corresponded while he was away. They married January 10, 1945 on Lowry AFB in Chapel #1. After the war, Frank was honorable discharged from the Army Air Force and enlisted in the US Air Force. He worked as a recruiter in Philadelphia. The couple had two children while stationed here '"" daughter Venus in 1947 and son Charles in 1950. Frank was transferred to Patrick Air Force Base, Florida '"" now Cape Kennedy '"" when it first opened to begin training in missile guidance systems. He was subsequently stationed at Denver, Colorado, four years in Germany, then back to Denver as an instructor in missile guidance systems. He retired in 1963 with 22 years of service but remained in the reserves until 1975. Frank worked as the Service Officer for American Legion Post LCW #1 for several years; the US Post Office as a bulk mail carrier from the main Denver downtown branch out to the surrounding branches. Frank and the family enjoyed camping trips in the Rockies, fishing, hunting, water skiing on Jackson Reservoir. Dancing was a major past time for the couple and they taught their children, as well. Traveling was big on the agenda. While stationed in Germany Frank became a square dance caller and instructor. At the time '"" 1959 to 1963 '"" there was not a lot of entertainment for service people. Joining a square dance club meant you traveled to the different bases to dance '"" American and Canadian alike. It meant your club was invited to the local German wine feasts or cheese feasts to perform. It was a great way to have fun and meet great people. Frank was a member of the American Legion, the China Burma India (CBI) Club and the Calvary Presbyterian Church. You would find Frank and Fran at the Legion Post LCW #1 every Friday night for dinner and dancing. They developed a large group of friends that have stayed close over all the years. Frank is survived by his wife of 61 years '"" their wedding anniversary was Jan 10, 2006 '"" daughter Venus and grandson Mathew, grandson, Richard, passed away May 2003; son Charles and wife Jacquelyn, grandson Scott and wife Melissa and great grandson Nathan; grandson Christopher and wife Christine and great grandson Ashton; and granddaughter Elizabeth, who is a SSgt in the US Air Force. Youngest brother David and wife Gerri of Clearwater, Florida. Frank's brothers Joe and Herb preceded him in death in 2005.