Frazier International History Museum
WWII
48 Local stories that changed the world.
October 10, 2009 - March 28th 2009
Carl George Tafel, Jr. Tafel, Jr
Louisville, KY
Carl George Tafel, JrP-51D Mustang Fighter Pilot
(cont)
The news that Carl was missing in action did not arrive at the Tafel home until January 14, 1945. His makeshift gravesite, created by a German policeman who found his downed plane, was located in August by his brother-in-law, Addison Dimmitt. The Army finally changed Carl’s status from MIA to KIA on July 14, a few months after V-E Day. Carl’s remains were later moved to a military cemetery in Luxemburg. In 1948, Carl’s family was finally able to bring him home for burial in Louisville’s Cave Hill cemetery.
In 1946, a portrait of Carl was included in an exhibition at the Speed Museum honoring those “young Louisvillans, young men of great promise who gave their lives in World War II.” In 1999, a plaque honoring Carl was placed at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Memorial Garden outside Savannah, Georgia.
Which one will it be
Read the stories submitted by our visitors below. One of them will be selected at random in January 2010 and given a place of honor in the exhibit.
F.B. Maze
Part Two... A few of us decided to ask to be transferred to the West Coast. I was still dumb and still skinny. After m... read more
Perkins Ernest L.
Ernest Lewis Perkins Date of Service 1943-1946 Navy- Cook (He went from a 3rd class cook to a 1st class cook during thi... read more
Gerald boston
It was Dec , 1945-It was a cold evening and I was on the floor under the kitchen table play with my cars. Mother's laundry... read more
Thomas E. Rapp
Mr. Thomas E. Rapp was born in New Albany, IN. Mr. Rapp joined the U.S. Army on August 5th, 1941. Upon entering service,... read more
William Richard Coy
William Richard Coy was born in Louisville, KY in 1921. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Naval Arm... read more