Francis A Kapler

Military
media-28964.jpeg UPL 28964 1943 Yearbook Curtis field

1943 Yearbook Curtis field

Object Number - UPL 28964 - 1943 Yearbook Curtis field

He initially joined the Army, spending a year training in artillery the switched to the Air Corps for pilot training, being commissioned at Waco TX. In July '44 he and his crew picked up a B-17 crossed the ocean and joined the Group at Great Ashfield where he was to fly on 27 combat missions. On that of August 27 1944 they got out of formation in bad weather, lost two engines and ditched in the Channel. They were spotted by a P-38 and picked up by a British boat some four hours later.

Post war he first became a flying instructor, then ran a restaurant for 28 years.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Poltergeist, Vagabond
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description
Waterloo, IA, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

Iowans of the Mighty 8th

Date
ContributorJoCarter
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Yearbook search

Francis A Kapler: Gallery (3 items)