The LA Times is reporting that Silver Star recipient Leon Kent has passed away at the age of 99.  During the opening hours of the German offense commonly referred to as The Battle of the Bulge, Kent’s battery of 90mm anti-aircraft guns had knocked out five tanks, including on King Tiger tank over a two hour period.  Kent and three other men in his battery received the Silver Star for their actions, although Kent did not receive his award until 1998 due to “lost paperwork.”

Kent related a detailed account of his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge in an interview in 2003 for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.   Audio of the interview as well as photos and a history of the 143rd AAA Gun Battalion are available from the Veterans History Project here.  The parts of the interview relating to the destruction of the German tanks is posted below. [Read more…]