FAKTOR, Leland D.

FAKTOR, CINKL

Posted By: Kermit Kittleson (email)
Date: 11/16/2010 at 21:09:02

#1:

FAKTOR PRAISED BY DOOLITTLE

PLYMOUTH BOY WHO
PARTICIPATED IN RAID
"WAS A FINE BOY"

PLYMOUTH, IOWA -- Edward Cinkl, uncle of Corp. Leland D. Faktor, has received a letter from Brig. Gen. James Doolittle in connection with Faktor's recent death while in the service of his country. The Faktor family was notified Tuesday that Faktor had been killed in action and buried with military honors.

Corporal Faktor was one of 79 men who participated with General Doolittle in the air raid on Tokyo in April. General Doolittle praised Faktor both for his ability as a soldier and for his personal characteristics. "He was a fine boy," the letter said.

Leland Faktor was born May 17, 1921 in Plymouth. He was graduated from Plymouth high school in 1940 and enlisted in the army air corps on August 8, 1940.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Faktor, a sister, Juanita, and two brothers, Leroy and Marvin, all of Plymouth. A grandmother, Mrs. Anna Cinkl, lived in Plymouth.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, May 27, 1942,
page 2]

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#2:

One man, Corp. Leland D. Faktor of Plymouth, Iowa, was killed. He landed by parachute in mountainous country and was found dead.

Alton (Illinois) Evening Telegraph; April 21, 1943, page 15

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#3:

FLYING CROSS, PURPLE HEART
SENT MR. AND MRS. LOU FAKTOR
FOR SON'S BRAVERY AT TOKYO

Cpl. Leland Faktor
Is Posthumously
Cited and Decorated

Mr. and Mrs. Lou Factor of Plymouth have received the purple heart and the distinguished flying cross, awarded posthumously to their son, Cpl. Leland D. Faktor, for extraordinary achievement in the daring raid on Tokyo with Jimmy Doolittle.

Faktor, who is buried somewhere in China, left his home for the service in August 1940.

The following accompanied the purple heart decoration: "I have the honor to inform you that the Purple Heart decoration has been awarded, posthumously, to your son, Cpl. Leland D. Faktor, air corps, who made the supreme sacrifice in defense of his country."

The Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross read: "Leland D. Faktor, corporal, army air forces, United States Army, For extraordinary achievement while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on April 18, 1942. Corporal Faktor volunteered for this mission, knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on Corporal Faktor and the military service."

[Mason City Globe Gazette, March 29, 1943, page 3 -- Photo included in newspaper article.]