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name
KLOPOLSKY, John Richard "Dick" - Date of
birth
26 December 1916 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Cherokee, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
San Diego, San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39240963 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
323rd Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 August 1943 - Place of
death
Balen, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 6 | 26 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Pete P. Klopolsky (father)
Aulto Klopolsky (mother)
Mary W. Klopolsky (sister)
Jesse P. Klopolsky (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5225 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: V-Packette aka Stormy Weather
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the KugelFisher ball bearing plants
MACR: 280
More information
T/Sgt John R. Klopolsky graduated from Blackwell High School in 1934 and was a baker.He enlisted in Los Angeles on 22 May 1942.
The aircraft was shot down by Lt Artur Beese in a Fw-190A of JG 26/1. Two crew members were taken prisoner, eight were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery for allied soldiers in Fort III in Deurne, Belgium on 20 August 1943.
He is remembered at Saint Marys Cemetery in Newton, Kansas.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov,
www.ancestry.com - Enlistment - 1920 census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: FOHF, www.findagrave.com - Vivian Smith, Blackwell High School - 1934