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Personal info

Full name
KOPF, William Everett
Date of birth
10 February 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Nevada, Story County, Iowa
Hometown
Nevada, Story County, Iowa

Military service

Service number
O-800900
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
547th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 October 1943
Place of death
Rambluzin-et-Benoite-Vaux, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
K 32 24

Immediate family

Members
John W. Kopf (father)
Blanche E. (Densmore) Kopf (mother)
Lyle D. Kopf (brother)
Leota D. Kopf (sister)
Russel D. Kopf (brother)
Velda G. Johnson (sister)
Robert L. Kopf (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3216
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: The Joker
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the ball bearings factory
MACR: 841

More information

2nd Lt William E. Kopf enlisted at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on 31 May 1941 and received his wings at Moody Field, Georgia on 27 March 1943. He was sent to England in August 1943.

He was shot in the head and chest at the pilot's control and went down with the ship.

The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters. The nose was blown off, and the plane blew up.

Seven crew members were killed. Three men evaded capture. They were helped by the local resistance to reach Switzerland, after which they were able to return to the UK.

Source of information: André Koch, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1920/1930/1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, http://www.8thafhs.com, www.newspapers.com - Des Moines Tribune
Photo source: -, www.newspapers.com - Des Moines Tribune