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name
ZAPATKA, Frederick J - Date of
birth
29 May 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Radisson, Sawyer County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Radisson, Sawyer County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16094105 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
335th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
26 July 1943 - Place of
death
Bremen, west of river Elbe, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank Zapatka (father)
Marie (Wyka) Zapatka (mother)
Joseph Zapatka (brother)
Helen Zapatka (sister)
Tedie Zapatka (sister)
Elizabeth Zapatka (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3264 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Angel of Destruction
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of rubber factories
MACR: 193
More information
Frederick J. Zapatka worked at his father's dairy farm.He volunteered for Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 7 August 1942.
The airplane was shot down by enemy aircraft and flak, which knocked out two engines. The entire crew of ten men was killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. Census Records, 1920-1940 / U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records / U.S. World War II Draft Registration Card, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.95thbg.com, Karen Duffy