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Last Name: ` TUCHEL	First Name Middle Initial: JAMES		Nick Name:
Street: 217 FAIRWAY DR	City & State: BLOOMINGTON, IL		E-Mail:
Zip: 61701	Phone: 309-661-5677		Spouse: JOYCE
Conflict: WWII	Service Branch: Air Force		Unit: 409 BG 643 SQD
Theater:	Where Captured: FRANKFORT		Date Captured: 09/29/44
Camps Held In: FRANKFORT ON MAIN, DULAG LUFT, WETLAR ON LAHN RIVER, LUFT 4 COMPOUND-D			How Long Interned: 215 days
liberated / repatriated: liberated	Date Liberated: 05/02/45		Age at Capture: 19
Medals Received: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL
Military Job: BELLYGUNNER / TAILGUNNER		Company: ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
Occupation after War: OPERATING ENGINEER

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.