Memorial Day 2026: Honoring the 117

Our best wishes to all our KMHS members this Memorial Day!

Like every Memorial Day, this is not simply a day of celebration, but a time for remembrance, reflection, and gratitude.

This year marks our first Memorial Day without any remaining former Kassel Mission members with us. Jim Baynham, who passed away in January, was the last living representative of the Kassel Mission. Blessed with an extraordinary memory and a remarkable ability to express his passion and appreciation up until his final days, few could convey gratitude and perspective as meaningfully as Jim.

Jim was among the fortunate — able to live a full life spanning more than 101 years. Yet 117 of his comrades, lost on September 27, 1944, never had the opportunity to finish their stories. It is now our responsibility to ensure their sacrifice and memory endure.

With Jim’s passing, the KMHS family has become the faithful steward of their legacy.

Today, and always, we remain deeply thankful for — and forever indebted to — the airmen of the 445th Bomb Group who never made it home.

Support the Gerstungen Memorial Fundraiser

On that note, we should share that our friends and colleagues in Gerstungen have begun their fundraising to place 8 more memorials at Kassel Mission crash sites — 5 of our B-24 crews as well as 3 of the Luftwaffe pilots lost that day. Please consider joining KMHS in contributing to the GoFundMe campaign for this noble cause!

→ Donate: Gedenk- und Informationstafeln zur Luftschlacht vom 27. Sept

When you open the page, be sure to scroll down to reach the English version. You can also move the Tip request slider to 0% if you prefer.

Sgt. Charles C. Palmer Comes Home

Finally, we are honored to share that the 5th of 8 Kassel Mission MIAs is finally coming home! After nearly 82 years, Sgt. Charles C. Palmer of the Hansen crew will be reinterred in Sarasota, Florida, on June 8th. All KMHS members and families are welcome to attend.

Beginning at 11:30 AM at:
Sarasota National Cemetery
9810 State Rd 72
Sarasota, FL 34241

Please contact any KMHS Board member if you would like additional information.

For KMHS, every day is Memorial Day — and June 8th will be a special day for the Palmer family.

With Gratitude,
Your KMHS Board Members