1st Lieut. John Kenneth Lowe ⁹⁸¹⁹

   Cause of his death was killed in action during World War II while flying over the Pacific.

Ellensburg Daily Journal
Ellensburg, Washington
Tuesday, January 13, 1944
p. 2

Miss Rita Squires Is Bride of Lt. Kenneth Lowe
At Candlelight Service In First Methodist Church

The First Methodist Church was the setting for the candlelight marriage ceremony last evening which united Miss Rita Squires and Kenneth Lowe, second lieutenant in the Army air corps. The bride is the daughter of Roy M. Squires of Seattle and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Lowe of Ellensburg. The double ring service was read by the Rev. William Martin in the presence of many relatives and friends at 8 o'clock.

Tall white candles in seven branched candelabra lighted the altar and white chrysanthemums and greenery arranged in large white baskets graced the chancel for the wedding rites.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride was charming in a smart gray two-piece wool suit accompanied by dusty pink accessories. An orchie corsage completed her costume.

Miss Maxine Squires, of Seattle, sister of the bride, was her only attendant. She was attired in a dusty rose afternoon dress with brown and pink ribbon and veil headdress and had a gardenia corsage.

Keith Lowe was best man for his brother and ushers were Robert McKeeman and Ernest De Vine, U.S. Navy.

Preluding the ceremony, Miss Betty Martin played organ selections and accompanied Miss Peggy Blanchard, who sang "O, Promise Me." Miss Martin also played the wedding marches.

A reception was held in the church parlors immediately following the service. The bride's table was attractively arranged with a lovely centerpiece of pink snapdragons and white chrysanthemums arranged in a crystal bowl, flanked by tall white tapers in crystal holders. Mrs. Peter Pope, grandmother of the bride, poured, and Mrs. Archie Eastham, aunt of the bridegroom, cut the ices. The decorated two-tiered bride's cake, topped by a miniature bride and groom, was arranged on a side table. After the traditional first piece of cake was cut by the bride and bridegroom, it was cut by Mrs. T.H. Tuggle, aunt of the bride. Mrs. Ralph Shelton was in charge of arrangements for the reception and Miss Glyde Shelton and Miss Virginia Crimp assisted in serving. Miss Maxine Squires was in charge of the guest book and Phyllis Eastham passed the wrapped and ribbon-tied pieces of wedding cake.

Coming from out of town for the wedding were Mrs. Peter Pope and Mrs. Louise M. Royer from Spokane, Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Tuggle of Yakima, Miss De Litha Radinsky, Miss Mary Jane Styer, Mrs. E.J. DeVine, Ernest DeVine and Laurie Harvey, all of Seattle.

The bride is a graduate of Central Valley High school in Spokane and resided in Ellensburg with her family while attending Central Washington college. Lieutenant Lowe attended Ellensburg High school and also attended Central Washington college. He received his wings and his commission on January 7 at Douglas, Arizona, and is now home on a short leave. He leaves again on Sunday to report for duty at Fresno, California. The new Mrs. Lowe plans to continue making her home with her father in Seattle, where she is employed as a dental assistant.

*****
Ellensburg Daily Journal
Ellensburg, Washington
June 6, 1945
p. 1 & 6

Kenneth Lowe, Army Flier, Killed In Pacific Theater

Mrs. Kenneth Lowe received official notification from the Army air command in the Western Pacific today that her husband, 1st Lt. Kenneth Lowe, 23, had been killed in action on May 8. There was no indication where the Ellensburg flier was killed. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Lowe.

Mrs. Lowe had received a letter from her husband dated May 7. He was home on leave in March after a tour of duty in the Pacific and reported back for duty on April 1 in California, rejoining his old unit in Guam shortly afterwards. He wrote after reaching Guam that he was being transferred but gave no indication where he was going. He had been made operations officer and test pilot of the 98th Squadron of the 7th Army air force.

When home he said he had been given an opportunity to take training to fly one of the new B29 Superfortresses, but decided to stay with his old crew and outfit. He became operations officer of the squadron and test pilot and planes that had been repaired.

Lieutenant Lowe was born in Ellensburg, lived here all his life, attended Central Washington college and was in the first unit of students to take training at the Ellensburg field, when the college training program was started. He had suffered from asthma and had great difficulty getting into the service because of that. For a time, he took welding work in a defense industry, until he could be assigned for training. On the Sound, his asthma improved greatly, and in March, 1942, he was able to successfully pass the physical examination and enter service for pilot training. In May, 1944, he joined the 11th heavy bombardment group of the 7th Army Air force and had spent many months in combat against the Japs as a co-pilot of a Liberator. He had completed his 40 missions when he was home in March.

He had received several decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal and Four Oak Leaf Clusters.

On his way home for a furlough from the Western Pacific, he was given the silver bar for a first lieutenant at Honolulu and expected to become a captain this fall.

He was married a year and a half ago to Miss Rita Squires, who has been employed at the Ellensburg branch of the National Bank of Commerce while he was overseas.

*****
The Ellensburg Capital
Ellensburg, Washington
Friday, July 13, 1945
p. 3

GEN. EAKER PRAISES WAR RECORD OF LT. KENNETH LOWE

Lt. Gen. Ira C. Eaker, deputy commander of Army Air forces, expressed his regret at the death of 1st Lt. Kenneth Lowe, B-24 Liberator pilot who was killed in action in the Pacific May 8, and praised the military record of the Ellensburg flier in a letter received by Lieutenant Lowe's wife, Mrs. Rita Lowe of Ellensburg.

Lieutenant Lowe lost his life in an attempt to bring his crippled bomber back to his Marianas base after his had been hit on a combat mission. However, he kept the bomber in the air for five hours, and two members of the crew were saved. He was on his second tour of duty in the Pacific, having returned to action after completing a 40-mission tour. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.

Gen. Eaker wrote:
"With keenest regret I have learned of the death of your husband, 1st Lt. John Kenneth Lowe, which occurred in the Pacific ocean area on May 8, 1945, in action.

"Word has come to me of the excellent military reputation enjoyed by Lieutenant Lowe throughout his aviation career. After he graduated from the training school at Douglas Army air field, his successful attemps to increase his skill as a pilot won the approbation of superiors. A strong desire to render faithful service, together with accuracy, contributed greatly to his development as an airman. He earned the respect of comrades by his cooperative attitude and sterling character.

"May the memory of your husband's unselfih contribution to his country help to console you in your bereavement. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and other members of the family on behalf of General H.H. Arnold, commanding general, Army Air forces, who is temporarily away from headquarters."

Lieutenant Lowe was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Lowe of Ellensburg.

  Events

• He appeared on the census in 1930 in South Kittitas, Kittitas County, Washington. He lived in the household of his parents.

• He appeared on the census in 1940 in South Kittitas, Kittitas County, Washington. He lived in the household of his parents.

John married Rita Faye Squires, daughter of Roy Martin Squires and Lora Belle McGuire, 12 January 1944 in King County, Washington.⁹⁸¹⁹ (Rita Faye Squires was born 12 June 1923 in Los Angeles County, California ⁹⁸²¹.)