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Personal info

Full name
KUEHL, David Arthur
Date of birth
23 February 1923
Age
22
Place of birth
Wisconsin
Hometown
Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
O2058215
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Air Discipline Officer/Right Waist Gunner
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 April 1945
Place of death
Near Vipiteno, Italy

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
B 26 20

Immediate family

Members
Edward G. Kuehl (father)
Lydia E. (Martin) Kuehl (mother)
Patricia Kuehl (sister)
Joanne Kuehl (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-51989
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Southern Belle
Destination: Vipiteno, Italy
Mission: Bombing of the rail road bridge
MACR: 13707

More information

1st Lt David A. Kuehl he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 9 October 1942.

T/Sgt Harold Teague:
I certify that while flying as engineer #7 plane in the 2nd box, 2nd attack unit on a combat mission to Vipiteno, Italy on 8 April 1945, I observed the following: Aircraft # 42-51989, yellow K Lt Bent was #4 the 2nd box, second attack unit. At 1125 hours, altitude 22,700ft. blew up over the target as result of direct hit in the bomb bay. Ball of flame and observed aircraft to disintegrate. Tail turret and tail plane and wing blown off. No chutes.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930/1940 U.S. Census, America Church Records, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.newspapers.com – Eau Claire Leader Wisconsin 25 April 1945, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-E Lubbock, Texas.