Joseph Francis Kotlarz

Military
Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III". Printed caption on reverse: '.'27330 AC - "Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F. St. Omaha Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the Fortress, "Kipling's Error III" which is ready for its bombing raid, taking it media-379311.jpg FRE 875 Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III". Printed caption on reverse: '.'27330 AC - "Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F. St. Omaha Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the Fortress, "Kipling's Error III" which is ready for its bombing raid, taking it to Germany and occupied Europe. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 875 - Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis Kotlarz, a tail gunner of the 96th Bomb Group, cleans the guns on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885)...

Assigned to 413BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF. Crewmamber B-17 'Kipling's Error III'. 25 x combat missions. ETD



Awards: DFC, AM, WWII Victory, EAME.



Post war: Re-enlisted USAF serving in Korea conflict.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5885) nicknamed "Kipling's Error the III" of the 96th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-1-9-96)(11-9-43).' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Neies crew.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Kipling's Error III
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Omaha, NE 2 November 1914 Son of Franciszek and Stefania 'Stella' Kotlarz.

Enlisted

27 April 1942

Other

Discharged USAAF

30 November 1945 Honourable discharge.

Enlisted

10 March 1951

Other

Discharged USAF

20 March 1952 Honourable discharge.

Died

13 March 2004

Buried

Saint Johns Cemetery Bellevue, Sarpy County, NE 17 March 2004 Saint Johns Cemetery Bellevue, Sarpy County, Nebraska

Based

Snetterton Heath Assigned to 413BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF.

Joseph Francis Kotlarz: Gallery (2 items)