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.
William A. Martin, Jr
Billy Martin, son of Dr. William A. Martin, Sr, and Effie Ann White Martin, was a trumpet player. He played with several ... read more
Tom Crump
In October of 1940 he was transferred to Long Beach, CA and embarked on the USS Saratoga. He was transferred to Marine Ba... read more
James K Miller
James (Jim) K Miller was born and raised in Louisville, KY and is now 85 years old. He is my grandfather and I admire him ... read more
Richard Fenzel
Railway Operating Battalions were being formed there with the groups of enlisted men from various railroads from across th... read more
Stella Bratton
Stella A. Bratton was a “character”, even as a child. But she loved to take care of people. Stella became a nurse and w... read more