Richard Paul Klopfenstein
Military
Eddie Joe Choate Family Collection
Object Number - UPL 18539 - 1LT Klopfenstein B-24 Crew in training at March Field, Sept. 1944
LT Klopfenstein was assigned to a seasoned crew as co-pilot for his first combat mission. All on board the aircraft he was in were kill in a midair collision with another aircraft. The aircraft and remains if the crew were found when relic hunters located parts of the aircraft.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2015334
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron 701st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38529013
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 36055014
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 701st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16191916
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Armorer; Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-783080
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardies/Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 445th Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Group
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Crabill, Indiana, USA | 25 January 1921 | |
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Zinswiller, France | 11 December 1944 | Killed in a collision with another aircraft during his first mission. |
Revisions
Special Order #298, HQ AAF, Station 124, APO 558, dated 16 Nov 1944 and picture of crew
Finda grave.com and newspaper article dated 21 Aug 2001 about his burial in Arlington National Cemetery
Special Oders 298, HQ AAF, Station 124, dtd 16 Nov 1944. Newspaper article dated 21 Aug 2001 about his burial in Arlington National Cemetery after he remains recovered from Zinswiller, France.
MACR 11337 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database