Boyd Lewis Klopfenstine
Second Lieutenant Boyd L. Klopfenstine was a Marine dive-bomber pilot assigned to VMSB-244.
He was killed in a training accident near Santa Barbara, California on 20 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-13465
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 9, 1920
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Edward Theadore Klopfenstine
Helen (Snodgrass) Klopfenstine
Education
Hillsdale College
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted from college
Service Life
Entered Service
September 1, 1941 (Navy)
August 28, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
490 West Hazelhurst
Ferndale, MI
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Dorothy Kay Klopfenstine
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-244
Campaigns Served
None
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Boyd Klopfenstine was a Marine Corps dive-bomber pilot. After earning his commission at Corpus Christi, he was assigned to duty with VMSB-244 for additional training prior to overseas deployment.
On 20 November 1942, Klopfenstine was taking part in bombing practice off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. His aircraft failed to recover from a dive and plunged into the sea at approximately 1045 hours. Neither Klopfenstine nor his radioman, Corporal Rolf J. Ellefson, escaped the falling plane, and both were reported dead following the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
Crashed at sea; remains not recovered.
Memorials
None known.
Next Of Kin Address
Permanent address of wife, Mrs. Dorothy K. Klopfenstine.
At the time of the crash, the Klopfenstines were living in Santa Barbara, CA.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash, “one mile off Santa Barbara light.”
