Arlington W. Newkirk

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SSgt Arlington W. Newkirk, Aerial Gunner

   Arlington W. Newkirk was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and raised in M.S. Hershey Orphan School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps Dec. 5, 1942 for three years or duration.

   Arlington went to AAFTS Lowry Field, Co for armament training. From there, he joined the 416th Bomb Group in Oklahoma in March 1943. He went to AAFGS Tyndall Field, Florida and returned to the 416th September 19043 and was assigned to the 668th Bomb Squadron as an aerial gunner.

   The A-20 crew of Lt Scott B. Ritchie, Edwin A Anderson and Newkirk trained and flew practice and combat missions together. They flew a total of 32 combat missions together while stationed at Wethhersfield, England.

   On June 3, SSgt Newkirk was ordered to join another crew for his 33rd mission. His plane was hit and went down in flames. He, along with gunner Sgt George W. Scott bailed out and he never heard about pilot Lt. Anton P. Nikas since.

   After returning from being MIA, he learned that on June 30th, Lt Ritchie, Sgt Anderson and Smith were killed on a mission with the RA.

   After roaming around France, he was picked up by and joined the French Underground (FFI). He fought side by side with them until the liberation of Paris. He was discharged Oct. 30, 1945.

   Mr Newkirk was married for 47 years to Dorothy E. (Hewitt) Newkirk and is a retired refrigeration, air conditioner and heating service mechanic.