� Hailing from Austin, Texas Clifford Kies was assigned to the 79th. Fighter Squadron on 11 August, 1944 and rose to become a Flight Commander by 27 December. He flew a total of 282 hours, 55 minutes in combat before being wounded in action during a strafing run on 20 February, 1945. He was hospitalized and then sent back to the States as a result of his injuries.
Kies destroyed 1 He-111 on the ground and damaged 3 others. During his stint with the 20th. he received the Air Medal with 6 clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. His P-51D-5-NT (serial #44-1195) was coded MC-N and named "Little Roue" (French for wheel.)Kies remained in the USAAF until 1947, finally attaining the rank of Major. He currently resides in Texas with his lovely wife Nina. |