C-47 on D-Day

June 6, 1944, soon after 1:00 a.m. . . . Across Normandy charge the C-47s of IX Troop Carrier Command and their fighting cargo, the paratroopers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. They have come to liberate the oppressed. Braving walls of clouds, German flak, and with just the moon to shine their path, the pilots toggle the green light over French fields and villages like Sainte-Mère-Église, a sign to the paratroopers—Go! With church bells ringing below and the prayers of the world behind them, the boys of the 101st and 82nd Divisions brush fear aside and jump into the night. 


C-47 SQUADRON CO
BEN KENDIG
In 1941, at the age of 20, Ben Kendig entered flying school. By 1943, he was the Ops Officer for the 44th Squadron, 316th TCG. He flew paratroopers in the Operation Husky paradrop over Sicily and again on D-Day before becoming the Commanding Officer of the 44th Troop Carrier Squadron.
For Market Garden, General Gavin selected Kendig to be his pilot for the jump. After flying the major operations to date, Kendig wanted to try his hand at flying fighters so he became a P-38 recon pilot and Squadron Commander, a position he held until the end of the war.

For his combat flying, Kendig received the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals, nine unit citations, and perhaps his most impressive honor - reaching the lofty rank of Lt. Colonel at age 23!