Kimmel, Elden L., Sgt

Fallen

Service Photo

Service Details

Last Rank
Sergeant

Last Primary AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 611-Aerial Gunner

Last AFSC Group
Air Crew (Enlisted)

Primary Unit
1942-1943, AAF MOS 611, 32nd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy

Service Years
1941 - 1943

Last Photo

Personal Details

Home State

Illinois

Year of Birth
1919

This Military Service Page was created/owned by CMSgt Don Skinner-Deceased to remember Kimmel, Elden L., Sgt.

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Casualty Info

Home Town Danforth	Last Address 32nd Bomb Squadron

Casualty Date Jan 07, 1943
Cause Hostile, Died while Missing	Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Tunisia	Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Danforth Cemetery - Danforth, Illinois	Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified

Official Badges

Unofficial Badges

Military Associations and Other Affiliations


	1943, World War II Fallen

Ribbon Bar

Unit Assignments/ Advancement Schools


	1941-1942, United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)
	1942-1942, AAF MOS 611, 301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
	1942-1943, AAF MOS 611, 301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
	1942-1943, AAF MOS 611, 32nd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy

Combat and Non-Combat Operations


	1942-1945 World War II/European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
	1942-1942 World War II/European-African-Middle Eastern Theater/Egypt-Libya Campaign (1942-43)
	1943-1943 World War II/European-African-Middle Eastern Theater/Tunisia Campaign (1942-43)

My Aircraft/Missiles


	1942-1943, B-17 Flying Fortress

Additional Information

Last Known Activity Elden L. Kimmel was born on November 12, 1919 in Danforth, Illinois. His parents were Walter B. and Clara Margaritha "Maggie" Kimmel. While the US Censuses 1920 and 1930 show the family living in Danforth, the US Census 1940 has them in Gilman. He graduated from Gilman High School. Kimmel enlisted on November 7, 1941 (a newspaper article states November 11) at Chanute Field as a private. His enlistment papers state he had completed 4 years of high school, and was working in an unskilled position within the transportation area. He received training as an aerial gunner, was promoted to Sergeant, and assigned to a combat crew in England. He flew missions over Europe with this crew. When the 32nd Bomb Squadron transferred part of its aircraft to North Africa in October, 1942, Kimmel and crew were selected. He began flying missions over North Africa in November, 1942. On January 7, 1943, the aircraft left the air field at Biskra, but crashed a few minutes later, killing all personnel. The bodies were evidently recovered as Sgt Kimmel now lies in the Danforth Cemetery in Danforth, Illinois. www.findagrave.com www.ancestry.com www.301stbg.com/missions_Macrs.cfm NAR Enlistment Records US Census 1920 US Census 1930 US Census 1940 Application for Headstone or Marker		Comments/Citation Sgt Elden L. Kimmel was the assigned tail gunner on B-17F #41-24350, named "Dumbo," assigned to the 32nd Bomb Squadron. Missing Air Crew Report 16242 was issued to cover this loss. Mission loading lists show the personnel on board as: 1 Lt Wesley C. Sloulin p 2 Lt Robert D. Olson c-p 1 Lt Vincent C. Fratalli nav 1 Lt William R. Crandall bomb SSgt Frederick J. Hull eng/tt gun SSgt William M. Most, Jr. r/o Sgt Frank Kahl wg Sgt Leslie Clark gunner Sgt Eldon L. Kimmel tail gun MSgt William White pass MSgt Linus C. Leonhard pass MSgt Ted A. Greenway pass Ranks and grades as of mission date. Kimmel's name is listed as "Eldon" on the MACR and loading lists, but all other documents ( and gravestone) states "Elden," The three passengers were all aircraft mechanics - crew chiefs. Their presence on board is not explained.