TUCHEL – CombatVets Network

Bio Image

Personal Details

Last Name: TUCHEL
First Name Middle Initial: JAMES
Nick Name:
Street: 217 FAIRWAY DR
Country &State: USA
City: BLOOMINGTON
State: IL
Postal Code: 61701
Phone: 309-661-5677
E-Mail:
Spouse: JOYCE
Age when entered service: 09/29/44
Age first entered: 19
War or Conflict: WWII
Theater of operations:
Year:
Branch of Service/s: Air Force
Years Served: 215 days
Date of Discharge / Retirement (circle):
Highest Rank: new_value
Military MOS (Job Descriptions): BELLYGUNNER / TAILGUNNER
What military medals received: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL

Military Bio:

James M. Tuchel served as Staff Sergeant during World War II with the U.S. Airforce 409th Bomb Group, 643 Squadron. He was a belly gunner and a tail gunner on a B-17. After being shot down over Frankfort, Germany and being captured on Sept. 29,1944, he was held in many POW camps including Frankfort on Main, Dulag Luft, Wetlar on Lahn River, and also Stalag Luft 4 and Compound-D in Grosstychow in the Pomeranian sector of Northern Germany. During his 215 days in these camps he also survived the 87-day Death March from Feb. 6 to May 2,1945. After he was liberated by British Troops on May 2nd, 1945, Mr. Tuchel received many medals for his time in the services that includes the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, and on October 1988, at Chanute Air Force Base he received his Prisoner Of War Medal. James died July 11th, 1998, before he passed away he spent time with many organizations. He was a lifetime member of the American Ex-Prisoner War, a member of the Disabled American Veterans Post 40 and 8, and a member with the 409th Bomb Group Air Force Division 9th AF ETO. He was also a Past Commander of the American Legion Post 448 in Minier, Illinois. Mr. Tuchel’s wife Joyce of 45 years, his son and daughter survive him.

My Message to Future Generations: Message to come..

Post Military Occupation

Age when captured: 19
Date of Captured: 09/29/44
Place captured: FRANKFORT
Camp/s held: 409 BG 643 SQD
Date Released: 05/02/45
Prisoner-of-war status:
Date of DEATH if deceased:
AGE at death:
Died In Combat:
Died from complications of combat wounds:
Describe below Survivors Include: