Alfred Kapp Japhet entered the military service in Texas. He served in the 563rd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy as a Staff Sergeant and Engineer of #42-39866 "Heaven Can Wait" aircraft during World War II. A member of the Boyce crew, he was killed when their plane crashed on July 29, 1944. The plane was attacked by 3 Me 109's from the rear, setting fire to the two inboard engines. When the fire broke out, the pilot peeled off and went into a dive and disappeared into the clouds at 14,000 feet. The co-pilot and navigator were able to bail-out and landed into a Barley Field, and were captured immediately. The Germans at a near-by air base said that seven bodies were in the burned aircraft. After this five minute attack, the Groups followed the same route home as on the way to the target. Ssgt Japhet is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.fieldsofhonor-database.com