Entered the service from Arkansas.
Richard Charles Kaufman was the son of Seymour Charles Kaufman and Nellie H. Kumpe. He attended North Little Rock High School and afterwards was employed as a truck driver.
On 1/6/1941 Richard enlisted in the Army and received his basic training at Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas, and Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington before sailing to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, as a member of the 206th Coastal Artillery. In October, 1942, Richard was transferred to the Air Corps as a cadet pilot and after training in numerous locales, qualified as a bomber pilot, earning his wings and commission as a second lieutenant. In April, 1944, he was transferred to England as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot with the 856th Bomber Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force and participated in the bombing raids over Normandy on June 6, 1944 as well as other area targets of opportunity. Over the next month, the 492nd Bomb Squadron suffered tremendous casualties and by the end of July, had virtually been "wiped out" with the 492nd having lost 52 aircraft to enemy action and 588 men killed or missing. Richard was killed in action off the northern coast of Germany over the Baltic Sea on June 20th, flying in bomber # 44-40161.
The following information about Richard's death comes from http://www.492ndbombgroup.com and is believed to be accurate:
"Lt Kaufman and his crew fell victim to the Luftwaffe during the massive air battle engaged on 20 Jun 44. That mission was designed to bomb the heavily defended oil refineries at Politz. While the Group was still over the Baltic Sea near Rugen Island, the formation made a right hand turn to head them towards land. Since the low left section (squadron) was on the outside of the wheel turn, they had to fly faster then those in the inside. They couldn't keep up with the sharp turn. They ended up drifting off to the left and back. The low left section became separated from the Group, without fighter protection and the defensive fire power of the Group's formation. The Luftwaffe, who had been shadowing the Group from a distance, seized the moment. The German fighters swept in from 8 o'clock. After their first pass, they spun around and returned for a second pass.
The would-be massacre turned into a toe-to-toe slug-fest. During this air battle the 492nd lost 9 planes while destroying 6 of the German fighters. Kaufman's plane, along with that of the Harris Crew 612, were seen going down in flames by the Seitzinger Crew 616. Reportedly, the Kaufman Crew was flying as a 9-man crew. We don't know why one of the gunners wasn't on board. However, flying short-handed wasn't uncommon. The casualty figures for this crew is 9 KIA, MACR 7079."
The Kaufman crew consisted of the following men: Richard C. Kaufman, pilot, Arnold R. Kasper, co-pilot
Robert N. Zipfel, bombardier, John J. Page, navigator Joseph A. Manfredi, engineer, Peter B. Raymond, gunner, Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., gunner, Jack S. Gillet, gunner, John A. Martino, radio operator and Lee Royal, gunner. Gunner Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., was not on the plane the day it was shot down. Richard's body was not recovered. In fact, only the bombardiers body, Lt. Robert N. Zipfel, was found and recovered for burial. The rest of the crew was never seen again and lies at the bottom of the Baltic Sea to this day.
Richard had married Eva Mae Rider on 12/30/1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His wife died 12/16/1941 giving birth to their only child, David Lee Kaufman.
Richard's brother, Dan Eugene Kaufman also fought in World War II with Army Air Corps. He survived the war and made his home in Little Rock.
Second Lieutenant Richard Charles Kaufman, Sn #O-693788, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Silver Pilot's Wings
- Purple Heart (posthumously)
- Air Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Alaska)
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Normandy)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
- World War II French Normandy Commemorative Medal
Richard Charles Kaufman was the son of Seymour Charles Kaufman and Nellie H. Kumpe. He attended North Little Rock High School and afterwards was employed as a truck driver.
On 1/6/1941 Richard enlisted in the Army and received his basic training at Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas, and Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington before sailing to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, as a member of the 206th Coastal Artillery. In October, 1942, Richard was transferred to the Air Corps as a cadet pilot and after training in numerous locales, qualified as a bomber pilot, earning his wings and commission as a second lieutenant. In April, 1944, he was transferred to England as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot with the 856th Bomber Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force and participated in the bombing raids over Normandy on June 6, 1944 as well as other area targets of opportunity. Over the next month, the 492nd Bomb Squadron suffered tremendous casualties and by the end of July, had virtually been "wiped out" with the 492nd having lost 52 aircraft to enemy action and 588 men killed or missing. Richard was killed in action off the northern coast of Germany over the Baltic Sea on June 20th, flying in bomber # 44-40161.
The following information about Richard's death comes from http://www.492ndbombgroup.com and is believed to be accurate:
"Lt Kaufman and his crew fell victim to the Luftwaffe during the massive air battle engaged on 20 Jun 44. That mission was designed to bomb the heavily defended oil refineries at Politz. While the Group was still over the Baltic Sea near Rugen Island, the formation made a right hand turn to head them towards land. Since the low left section (squadron) was on the outside of the wheel turn, they had to fly faster then those in the inside. They couldn't keep up with the sharp turn. They ended up drifting off to the left and back. The low left section became separated from the Group, without fighter protection and the defensive fire power of the Group's formation. The Luftwaffe, who had been shadowing the Group from a distance, seized the moment. The German fighters swept in from 8 o'clock. After their first pass, they spun around and returned for a second pass.
The would-be massacre turned into a toe-to-toe slug-fest. During this air battle the 492nd lost 9 planes while destroying 6 of the German fighters. Kaufman's plane, along with that of the Harris Crew 612, were seen going down in flames by the Seitzinger Crew 616. Reportedly, the Kaufman Crew was flying as a 9-man crew. We don't know why one of the gunners wasn't on board. However, flying short-handed wasn't uncommon. The casualty figures for this crew is 9 KIA, MACR 7079."
The Kaufman crew consisted of the following men: Richard C. Kaufman, pilot, Arnold R. Kasper, co-pilot
Robert N. Zipfel, bombardier, John J. Page, navigator Joseph A. Manfredi, engineer, Peter B. Raymond, gunner, Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., gunner, Jack S. Gillet, gunner, John A. Martino, radio operator and Lee Royal, gunner. Gunner Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., was not on the plane the day it was shot down. Richard's body was not recovered. In fact, only the bombardiers body, Lt. Robert N. Zipfel, was found and recovered for burial. The rest of the crew was never seen again and lies at the bottom of the Baltic Sea to this day.
Richard had married Eva Mae Rider on 12/30/1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His wife died 12/16/1941 giving birth to their only child, David Lee Kaufman.
Richard's brother, Dan Eugene Kaufman also fought in World War II with Army Air Corps. He survived the war and made his home in Little Rock.
Second Lieutenant Richard Charles Kaufman, Sn #O-693788, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Silver Pilot's Wings
- Purple Heart (posthumously)
- Air Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Alaska)
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Normandy)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
- World War II French Normandy Commemorative Medal
Entered the service from Arkansas.
Richard Charles Kaufman was the son of Seymour Charles Kaufman and Nellie H. Kumpe. He attended North Little Rock High School and afterwards was employed as a truck driver.
On 1/6/1941 Richard enlisted in the Army and received his basic training at Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas, and Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington before sailing to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, as a member of the 206th Coastal Artillery. In October, 1942, Richard was transferred to the Air Corps as a cadet pilot and after training in numerous locales, qualified as a bomber pilot, earning his wings and commission as a second lieutenant. In April, 1944, he was transferred to England as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot with the 856th Bomber Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force and participated in the bombing raids over Normandy on June 6, 1944 as well as other area targets of opportunity. Over the next month, the 492nd Bomb Squadron suffered tremendous casualties and by the end of July, had virtually been "wiped out" with the 492nd having lost 52 aircraft to enemy action and 588 men killed or missing. Richard was killed in action off the northern coast of Germany over the Baltic Sea on June 20th, flying in bomber # 44-40161.
The following information about Richard's death comes from http://www.492ndbombgroup.com and is believed to be accurate:
"Lt Kaufman and his crew fell victim to the Luftwaffe during the massive air battle engaged on 20 Jun 44. That mission was designed to bomb the heavily defended oil refineries at Politz. While the Group was still over the Baltic Sea near Rugen Island, the formation made a right hand turn to head them towards land. Since the low left section (squadron) was on the outside of the wheel turn, they had to fly faster then those in the inside. They couldn't keep up with the sharp turn. They ended up drifting off to the left and back. The low left section became separated from the Group, without fighter protection and the defensive fire power of the Group's formation. The Luftwaffe, who had been shadowing the Group from a distance, seized the moment. The German fighters swept in from 8 o'clock. After their first pass, they spun around and returned for a second pass.
The would-be massacre turned into a toe-to-toe slug-fest. During this air battle the 492nd lost 9 planes while destroying 6 of the German fighters. Kaufman's plane, along with that of the Harris Crew 612, were seen going down in flames by the Seitzinger Crew 616. Reportedly, the Kaufman Crew was flying as a 9-man crew. We don't know why one of the gunners wasn't on board. However, flying short-handed wasn't uncommon. The casualty figures for this crew is 9 KIA, MACR 7079."
The Kaufman crew consisted of the following men: Richard C. Kaufman, pilot, Arnold R. Kasper, co-pilot
Robert N. Zipfel, bombardier, John J. Page, navigator Joseph A. Manfredi, engineer, Peter B. Raymond, gunner, Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., gunner, Jack S. Gillet, gunner, John A. Martino, radio operator and Lee Royal, gunner. Gunner Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., was not on the plane the day it was shot down. Richard's body was not recovered. In fact, only the bombardiers body, Lt. Robert N. Zipfel, was found and recovered for burial. The rest of the crew was never seen again and lies at the bottom of the Baltic Sea to this day.
Richard had married Eva Mae Rider on 12/30/1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His wife died 12/16/1941 giving birth to their only child, David Lee Kaufman.
Richard's brother, Dan Eugene Kaufman also fought in World War II with Army Air Corps. He survived the war and made his home in Little Rock.
Second Lieutenant Richard Charles Kaufman, Sn #O-693788, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Silver Pilot's Wings
- Purple Heart (posthumously)
- Air Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Alaska)
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Normandy)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
- World War II French Normandy Commemorative Medal
Richard Charles Kaufman was the son of Seymour Charles Kaufman and Nellie H. Kumpe. He attended North Little Rock High School and afterwards was employed as a truck driver.
On 1/6/1941 Richard enlisted in the Army and received his basic training at Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas, and Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington before sailing to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, as a member of the 206th Coastal Artillery. In October, 1942, Richard was transferred to the Air Corps as a cadet pilot and after training in numerous locales, qualified as a bomber pilot, earning his wings and commission as a second lieutenant. In April, 1944, he was transferred to England as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot with the 856th Bomber Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force and participated in the bombing raids over Normandy on June 6, 1944 as well as other area targets of opportunity. Over the next month, the 492nd Bomb Squadron suffered tremendous casualties and by the end of July, had virtually been "wiped out" with the 492nd having lost 52 aircraft to enemy action and 588 men killed or missing. Richard was killed in action off the northern coast of Germany over the Baltic Sea on June 20th, flying in bomber # 44-40161.
The following information about Richard's death comes from http://www.492ndbombgroup.com and is believed to be accurate:
"Lt Kaufman and his crew fell victim to the Luftwaffe during the massive air battle engaged on 20 Jun 44. That mission was designed to bomb the heavily defended oil refineries at Politz. While the Group was still over the Baltic Sea near Rugen Island, the formation made a right hand turn to head them towards land. Since the low left section (squadron) was on the outside of the wheel turn, they had to fly faster then those in the inside. They couldn't keep up with the sharp turn. They ended up drifting off to the left and back. The low left section became separated from the Group, without fighter protection and the defensive fire power of the Group's formation. The Luftwaffe, who had been shadowing the Group from a distance, seized the moment. The German fighters swept in from 8 o'clock. After their first pass, they spun around and returned for a second pass.
The would-be massacre turned into a toe-to-toe slug-fest. During this air battle the 492nd lost 9 planes while destroying 6 of the German fighters. Kaufman's plane, along with that of the Harris Crew 612, were seen going down in flames by the Seitzinger Crew 616. Reportedly, the Kaufman Crew was flying as a 9-man crew. We don't know why one of the gunners wasn't on board. However, flying short-handed wasn't uncommon. The casualty figures for this crew is 9 KIA, MACR 7079."
The Kaufman crew consisted of the following men: Richard C. Kaufman, pilot, Arnold R. Kasper, co-pilot
Robert N. Zipfel, bombardier, John J. Page, navigator Joseph A. Manfredi, engineer, Peter B. Raymond, gunner, Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., gunner, Jack S. Gillet, gunner, John A. Martino, radio operator and Lee Royal, gunner. Gunner Anthony Tuzzolino, Jr., was not on the plane the day it was shot down. Richard's body was not recovered. In fact, only the bombardiers body, Lt. Robert N. Zipfel, was found and recovered for burial. The rest of the crew was never seen again and lies at the bottom of the Baltic Sea to this day.
Richard had married Eva Mae Rider on 12/30/1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His wife died 12/16/1941 giving birth to their only child, David Lee Kaufman.
Richard's brother, Dan Eugene Kaufman also fought in World War II with Army Air Corps. He survived the war and made his home in Little Rock.
Second Lieutenant Richard Charles Kaufman, Sn #O-693788, earned the following badges/decorations for his service during World War II:
- Silver Pilot's Wings
- Purple Heart (posthumously)
- Air Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Alaska)
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with one bronze battle star (Normandy)
- World War II Victory Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
- World War II French Normandy Commemorative Medal
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