Arnold Edwin “Andy” Kauffman was born on October 4, 1922, in New York. He was the son of Harry and Hannah Kauffman. He was married to Elizabeth Siler Kauffman. He served in the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Flight Engineer of B-17 (42-97537) known as "Chicken Ship" during World War II.
On April 9, 1944, during a mission targeting Marienburg (now Malbork, Poland), the plane encountered heavy enemy resistance. After taking flak damage over the target area, "Chicken Ship" lost engine power and fell behind its formation. Three German Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighters attacked, striking the aircraft and forcing the crew to abandon it. All of the crew parachuted safely and became POWs except Flight Engineer Fasone who was instantly killed. Arnold was captured and sent to Stalag Luft 17 in Austria, where he remained a POW until liberation in 1945.
On November 11, 1945, TSgt Kauffman was discharged at the Separation Center at Fort Meade, Maryland, and returned home to New York City. He later became active in veteran organizations, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and was known for helping establish local veterans' gatherings. TSgt Kauffman died on July 31, 2016, and is now buried in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity Columbarium, Midland County, Texas, USA.
Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, mophaustin.org