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2nd Lt Joseph F. Kulik graduated from Bessemer High School in 1938 and was employed at the Gamble store in Bessemer and the Sears Roebuck store in Ironwood. He enlisted in Escanaba, Michigan on 14 February 1941. He was graduated as a pilot and received his wings and commission on 26 November 1942 and had been in England since February 1943. He was to have completed his activities in that theatre after two more missions.

The following was written by Harry Slater formerly of the 94th Bomb Group:
"On November 5th, the 94th launched 32 aircraft to bomb the synthetic oil refineries northwest of Gelsenkirchen. Since the Ploesti oil production center had been bombed, this target was considered important to the German cause. Nineteen aircraft formed the lead group of the 1st Air Task Force.
Flak was light over the Dutch coast but became intense in the target area. Lt. James K. Killian and crew of the 332nd squadron in aircraft 42-30166 (You Cawn't Miss it) were observed under heavy attack. After a time, the aircraft exploded with one parachute blossoming out of the debris. Eight aircraft suffered minor flak damage".

Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed. The remains of Lt Kulik were never recovered.