Hilton S. Kessel was born July 24, 1919, at Kessel, Hardy County, West Virginia. He was a son of Elmer A. and Lillian M. (Bean) Kessel. Elmer was a farmer and school teacher. Lillian also was a school teacher. Hilton was not married and his siblings were Rev. Haven W. Kessel (Major, U.S. Army), Elizabeth A. (Kessel) McFarland, and Burnell L. (Kessel) Moore. Both sisters married ministers.

First Lieutenant Kessel was a P-47 pilot, assigned to the 40th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. On October 10, 1944, he was conducting offensive escort over Balikpapan, Borneo, when he was believed to have left the target due to shortage of fuel. He was last contacted via radio by another P-47 pilot.

The Grant County Press, Petersburg, W.Va. published the following:

"MISSING OVER BORNEO (Moorefield, Nov. 1)--Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Kessel have been notified by the War Department that their son, Lt. Hilton Kessel, has been missing in action since a combat mission over Borneo October 10th. For the past six months Lt. Kessel has been serving with a fighter squadron in the Pacific area.

"Lt. Kessel, 24, entered the service in October, 1942, and won his wings in August, 1943. Last May he was promoted to first lieutenant. He was previously stationed in New Guinea.

"A brother, Maj. Haven Kessel, is now in Paris. His sisters are Mrs. Harry McFarland, Dayton, Va. and Miss Burnell Kessel, a student at Shenandoah College, Dayton, Va."

Missing Air Crew Report #42-28529 stated, "Lieutenant Kessel was an experienced pilot and as there is no evidence of his crashing, there is a possibility of his survival." However, after a three-day search, it was reported, "No sightings were made that could be linked with the missing P-47."

First Lieutenant Hilton S. Kessel's body was never recovered. His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

By a cousin: Steven J. Herbaugh, Ridgeley, W.Va., December 9, 2013.

Hilton S Kessel