Konrad Keith Slaughter Obituary

September 19, 2018

David Schmitt wrote a sympathy message

“Flight Officer Konrad K. Slaughter reported to the 493rd Bombardment Group (Debach, England), on 5 July 1944, and flew as Co-Pilot on the LT Robert L. McKeighan crew and was assigned to the 861st Bombardment Squadron. He flew his first combat mission on 18 July, with the target being gun batteries in the Caen area, France. Konrad flew a total of 10 combat missions on B-24 Liberator bombers. During August, the 493rd BG transitioned to the B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. Konrad flew his first combat mission on a B-17, on 8 September, with the target being an ordnance factory in Mainz, Germany. On 6 October, Konrad was promoted from Flight Officer to 2nd Lieutenant. During the Fall of 1944, Konrad played football on the 493rd BG's "Helton's Hellcats" team, playing teams from other bomb groups in the area. On a team roster, he is listed as weighing 175 lbs, wearing a jersey #8, and played Full Back. This team roster indicated that his hometown was Porterville, CA. Konrad's 33rd, and last combat mission, was flown on 6 December, with the target being a synthetic oil refinery in Merseburg, Germany. On 12 December, Konrad and the rest of the LT McKeighan crew, were released from duty with the 493rd BG and started their journey back to the States. The members of The Fighting 493rd Bombardment Group (H) Association would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Konrad's family and friends. Konrad was truly a member of the "Greatest Generation" and we wanted to acknowledge his service to our country. David Schmitt Director, 493rd BG Association Historian, 493rd Bomb Group”