Eugene Harold Kannapel was born on April 28, 1924. He was the son of Joseph Francis Kannapel and Bertha T. Bauer Kannapel. He served in the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Right Waist Gunner of B-17F #42-5788 nicknamed 'Pluto's Avenger' and also known as 'A.O.G. Not in Stock,' during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during Mission #111 to Aschersleben, Germany, B-17F #42-5788 Pluto's Avenger was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft remained in a controlled shallow dive with its #4 engine smoking before crashing near Duffel, 15 km southwest of Antwerp, Belgium. Tragically, four crew members died and six others became prisoners of war, while Major George Weinbrenner evaded capture and returned to the UK in September 1944.

Sgt Kannapel was among the crew members who lost their lives in the crash. He is now buried in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rantoul, Champaign County, Illinois, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/