Kempker, Edward (died 1943)

KEMPKER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/19/2011 at 15:26:46

WAR DEPARTMENT REPORTS EDWARD KEMPKER MISSING
Was Bombardier With Air Forces Operating Out of England

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Kempker, 715 First Street SE, were notified Friday that their son, Lieut. Edward Kempker, was reported missing November 5, in action in the European war area. Lieut. Kempker has been for several months a bombardier with the U.S. air forces in England. The message from the War Department gave no other particulars and Mr. and Mrs. Kempker are hoping to be advised later their son is a German prisoner as are about 50 per cent of the airmen reported missing.

Lieut. Edward Kempker was one of five sons of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Kempker with the armed services. His younger brother, Cpl. John C. Kempker, was reported killed in action, October 2, in the North African area. Another brother, Lieut. Robert Kempker, is a bombardier with the air forces in England, Staff Sergeant Paul Kempker is located at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma, and another brother, Gerald, is a tail gunner on a bomber based in Hawaii.

The Kempker family moved to LeMars seven years ago from Carroll and have a son and a daughter at home, as well as the boys in the service.

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Nov. 23, 1943
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Edward Kempker Reported Dead

Was Listed Missing One Year Ago

Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Kempker received a letter Wednesday, November 29, from the war department, establishing a presumptive date of death for their son, Lieut. Edward Kempker, who was reported missing November 5, 1943, while on a bombing mission over Germany.

According to the letter, Lieut. Kempker was a crew bomber of a B24H (Liberator) bomber that participated in a bombardment mission to Muenster, Germany, on November 5, 1943. His plane was attacked by enemy aircraft and was last seen on fire about 5,000 feet below other elements of the formation, about twenty miles south of Rotterdam, Netherlands, while returning from their target.

The date of his death has been set as November 6, 1944, the day following the expiration of twelve months absence.

Lieut. Kempker was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Kempker to sacrifice his life for his country. Cpl. Jack Kempker was killed in action in Italy on October 2, 1943.

Source: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, December 5, 1944