Joseph R. Kerr Jr., born in Flemington, New Jersey enlisted in the Army in June, 1942, the day he graduated from high school.

"I had my training in various places such as Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; Casper Wyoming; and Tyndall and Hendricks Air Bases in Florida.

"I arrived overseas in June 1943 and was assigned to the 91st Bomb Group in Bassingbourn, England. I flew seven missions with the 91st Bomb Group, and our crew was picked as a model and transferred to the 'Pathfinders,' 482nd BG.

"The Pathfinders were the only group with radar. It was there job to lead the other groups to the target on Bombing Missions. If weather obscured the targets the Pathfinders would fly to the base of a Group needing a Pathfinder the night before and lead the next day's mission with their sophisticated equipment. Once on target the Pathfinders would let loose their bombs and the others would follow.

"Pathfinders of the 482nd led 80% of the missions in the winter of 1943-44, for which they received the Presidential Citation.

"On my 33rd mission, November 26, 1944, our B-17, 'Phony Express,' I was hit by a flak burst over Misburg, Germany. With only one engine still operating we lost altitude and ultimately crash-landed in a field near Velswijk, Holland. We were quickly surrounded by a truckload of German soldiers and taken as Prisoners of War.

"I ended up in Stalag Luft IV and the '8th Air Force Death March,' which covered approximately 600 miles from Gross Tychow to Bitterfeld. We then crossed Germany back and forth until we were liberated on April 26th by Hodge's First Army.

"I was overseas two years, from June 1943 to June 1945. Total time in service was 3 years 2 months 16 days. I was discharged September 1945.

"In September of 1947 I captured my wife Penny, and she says 'she has happily been Joe's POW ever since.' We raised two children, Joseph III and a daughter, Patricia. They have given us two granddaughters and three grandsons.

"I retired from RCA in March of 1985 to enjoy my grandchildren, do some traveling and play some golf. Every day is wonderful!"

JBe proud of our great Country America and proud to protect our greatest symbol, its Flag. At the age of 19 I enlisted to serve our country in a time of need, and it was one of the most fulfilling times in my life. Experiences as a POW taught me how precious our freedom is and how easily it can be lost. Freedom is not Free. God Bless America and the Red, White and Blue.