Karl Richard Elza was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of Jesse Henson Elza and Beulah V. Francis. His siblings were Edith Elza, Paul Martin Elza, and Jessy Eugene Elza. Karl married Ruth Katherine Morris in Murray County, GA, on July 5, 1941. They had a son, Karl Martin Elza.
Aviation Cadet
He Died on July 10, 1944 in Bastrop, Texas

Buried in Knoxville National Cemetery on July 17, 1944

Denton Record-Chronicle (Texas), 11 July 1944
Eight flyers die in crash
San Antonio, July 11 – Eight fliers from the San Marcos Army Airfield were killed at 2:45 p.m. Monday in an accident in which two planes were involved and which occured near Dale, about 11 miles northeast of Lockhart, according to Army officials of the San Marcos Field.
The planes were on a combat training mission at the time of the crash, Army officers said.
Dead were;
Lieutenant Fayette L. Pass, San Antonio
Lieutenant Robert Easten, Mattoon, Ill.
Lieutenant C.J. Degen, Fairbault, Minn
Lieutenant Robert W. Goodbridge, Washington, Pa.
Lieutenant J.G. Selvich, Bayshore, N.Y.
Cadet Marvin W. Eubanks, Long Beach, Cal.
Cadet Louis P. Fahmuller Jr., Baltimore, Md.
Cadet Karl R. Elza, Knoxville, Tenn.

  • Rank: Aviation Cadet
  • Date of birth:
  • 29 March 1921
  • Date of death: 10 July 1944
  • County: Knox
  • Hometown: Knoxville
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Middle Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Karl R. Elza

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