US Air Medal Research

**Sensei** · 01-12-2023, 02:04 AM

Hello!

I recently added this beautiful WW2-era Air Medal to the collection and I was wondering since there hasn't been any research done on the engraved name if anyone could help me or recommend a website where research can be done.

The name of the recipient is Burt C Capel Jr and rank looks to be Corporal

Thanks alot!

Tobias

**Willmore** · 01-12-2023, 02:38 AM

Hi Tobias.

I found a possible match. Maybe someone can use this information to find his service record.

Name: Burt Carl Capel Jr
Race: White
Age: 18
Birth Date: 5 March 1925
Birth Place: Salem, Ohio
Residence Place: Salem, Columbiana, Ohio
Registration Date: 5 March 1943
Registration Place: Salem, Ohio
Employer: Mullins Mfg Corporation
Height: 5'' 10 1/2
Weight: 137
Complexion: Light
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Next of Kin: Mrs Barbara Capel

He passed away on the 14th of February 1998

Kind regards,

Will.

**Willmore** · 01-12-2023, 02:46 AM

Tobias, it is him. This very medal is shown in the link below.

Burt Carl Capel Jr. (1925-1998) - Find a Grave Memorial

Here is a photo of him from ancestry.

Kind regards,

Will.

**Sensei** · 01-12-2023, 02:47 AM

WOW I’m speechless!!

Thanks alot Willmore. This will be an interesting read!

Best regards, Tobias!

**Witt** · 01-12-2023, 03:00 AM

You beat me to it Will, I was just including the same section.
Burt Capel Jr. served with the 780th Bomb Squadron, 465th Bomb Group (H) and was awarded this Air Medal GO:2753 on April 26, 1945. That was also the day of the final flight flown by the 465th. They were supposed to fly two groups to bomb Able-Kolbnitz Bridge in Austria, and Baker Ammunition Dump in Malcontenta, Italy but it was cancelled. Unknown with which crew he flew with or their B-24.

465th Bombardment Group (H)

Ben

**Sensei** · 01-12-2023, 03:16 AM

Thanks alot to the both of you! This is simply amazing! It feels great to have this information and a face to the medal. I’m thinking of framing copies of his papers and photo along with the medal to make a small tribute to him.

Best regards, Tobias

**Sensei** · 01-13-2023, 12:27 PM

I've found some newpaper clippings from the Salem News about Burt that I thought would be really interesting to share!

Turns out he was an armorer-gunner aboard his B-24