Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 4/6/1943

NORTH TONAWANDA-Mrs. Ella
Vorpahl, of-284 North street, received
a telegram last evening from
the War department, informing her
of the death of her son, Staff Sergeant
Donald V. Vorpahl, in action
in North Africa on January 29. The
wire gave no details.
He was connected with the U. S.
Army Air corps and was a machine-
gunner of exceptional ability.
Before going to Africa he broke
aerial gunnery records at a gunnery
school in the West. It is believed
that he was in a bomber
when he met his death.
Sergeant Vorpahl was a graduate
of the North Tonawanda high
school. He enlisted at Will Rogers
Field. Oklahoma, two weeks after
the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor.
His 18-year-old brother, Melvin
Vorpahl, is in the navy. Levant and
Carlton Vorpahl are two other brothers
at home.