John Roland Kyler was born on February 23, 1923, in Salamanca, Cattaraugus County, New York. He was the son of Grace Josephine Fitzmorris Kyler. He was married to Sara M. Quattrone Kyler. He enlisted in the service on January 27, 1943. He served in the 407th Bomber Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17F #42-30423 during World War II.

John was shot down by fighters and Flak on return from a mission to Frankfurt on February 4, 1944. He was captured by the German forces and held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft IV in Braunau, near Krems, Austria, and returned to Military Control on May 31, 1945. He survived the infamous "Death March" across Germany, an 83-day journey in which many of his comrades perished. SSgt Kyler died on May 4, 2004, and is now buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, Cattaraugus County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com