Mathias Anthony KUFFEL

Source : F Lavernhe

Map of St James American Cemetery

KUFFEL, Mathias A., Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group, Heavy, Service #19079126, State of Entry: California, Death: 16-February-1944, KIA
Parents, Joseph Stanley and Josephine Kuffel

Assigned July 15, 1942 as Ball Turret Gunner on B-17F #42-2967 "Shak Hak", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, New Mexico. October 16, 1942 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Shak Hak".

Shot down February 16, 1943 in B-17F #42-2967 "Shak Hak", 303BG/360BS while serving as Ball Turret Gunner. The aircraft was attacked by fighters and crashed into the English Channel on return from a mission to St. Nazaire, France.

Source : Loren Bender

William H. BREED CREW - 360th BS   B-17F Shak Hak #42-2967 (PU-G)

(original crew assigned 360BS: 15 July 1942 - photo: 14 Oct 1942)
(Flew from USA to England in Oct 1942 in Shak Hak)

(Back L-R) Capt William H. Breed (P), 2Lt Harry T. Sample, Jr (CP), 1Lt Homer R. Allen (N), 2Lt Homer N. Santerre (B) (Front - not in order)

T/Sgt Stanley Putala (E), T/Sgt Joseph M. Herbert (R), S/Sgt Samuel D. Easter (AE/RWG), S/Sgt James H. Lentz (TG), S/Sgt Mathias A. Kuffel (BTG)

(Ranks and Grades at time of last combat mission)