William Kopczynski
Military
The Eric Sherman crew in front “WEREWOLF !” # 42-7572.
Standing, left to right: Sgt William S. Lutes; Sgt Leiding C. Olson; Sgt William Kopczynski; Sgt William A. McDonald; Sgt Euylse E. Jackson.
Kneeling, left to right: Captain Eric H. Sherman; 2/Lt Charles S. Clark (did not fly on the 21 July 1944 mission on 42-100315 “Quivering Box”); 1/Lt Glenn W. Hoffman and 1/Lt Nelson T. Segraves.
Not in photo: Captain Calvin T. Ballard, Lt John E. Hand and S/Sgt John T. Clay, all three KIA in the loss of 42-100315. ( Photo from the 446th BG website : http://www.446bg.com/)
Added photo
Object Number - UPL 21531 - Other version of the photo at UPL 21481. The Eric Sherman crew in front “WEREWOLF !” # 42-7572. Standing, left to right: Sgt William S. Lutes;...
Bill Kopczynski trained as a gunner and was sent overseas. He served in the 446th Bomb Group / 705th Bomb Squadron at Bungay, England. He was Ball Turret Gunner on B-24 “Quivering Box” # 42-100315 when it was hit by Flak on the 21 July 1944 mission to Munich, Germany. Bill Kopczynski was one the 3 men who survived and were made Prisoners of War (POW).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 705th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18049224 & O-434031
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 705th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34185329
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 705th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-817328
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 705th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16077659 and O-741175
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 705th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14161707
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 21 July 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Flixton
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
New York State, United States | 9 November 1920 | the son of Polish-born Joseph and Mary Kopczynski |
|
Enlisted |
Buffalo, New York State, United States | 18 September 1942 | |
|
Other Captured |
near Tholen, The Netherlands | 21 July 1944 | Wounded, immediately arrested after landing in parachute |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Obermassfeld, Germany | 21 July 1944 | Wounded, he is reported as having been at the Obermassfeld Hospital #1249 (near Stalag 9C), Germany. NARA WWII POW records : "Returned to Military control 22 May 1945." |
|
Died |
Angola, Erie County, New York State, United States | 17 January 1999 | |
| Niagara Falls, New York State, United States |
Revisions
MACR 7250
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
US 1940 Census
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 7250 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
