Beshear orders flags to half-staff Saturday in honor of WWII Army Pilot from Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Saturday, April 26 in honor of an Army pilot from Kentucky.

Officials say the pilot died in World War II, but his remains were only identified last summer.

The governor’s office says U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Joe A. De Jarnette, 24, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky was a member of the 732nd Bombardment Squadron, 453rd Bombardment Group, 2nd Combat Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, in the European Theater.

According to Beshear’s office, De Jarnette was killed when his plane was shot down over Germany on April 8, 1944.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ft. Thomas with burial following at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Erlanger.

Flags across the Commonwealth are currently at half-staff in honor of Pope Francis, whose internment takes place on Saturday.

Beshear encourages all individuals to participate in this tribute.