Every year Jim Christiansen chooses a fallen Kimball hero to honor during his flag raising ceremony on the fourth of July. Last year the hero honored was Harry Southard. This year, Christiansen has chosen Francis Siebenaler.

Siebenaler was born Sept. 14, 1918. He graduated from the Army Air Forces Advanced flying school in La Junta, Colo., on January 4, 1943. At the time of his graduation, Siebenaler was a second Lieutenant. A telegram that he sent home to his parents in Kimball read, “Just received my wings and commission. Wish you were here. Leaving for the west coast. Love Francis.”

On April 6, 1943, Siebenaler was granted passage to join the Alaskan Wing stationed in the Aleutian Islands.

Just one month later Siebenaler’s family received a telegram that any family would fear to get. Siebenaler was missing in action. According to the telegram, received May 21, 1943, Siebenaler was missing in action since May 14.

Approximately one month after he went missing, his family received the mournful word that Siebenaler was dead. The letter read that he was killed in action.

The fighting on the Aleutian Islands was more about fighting the weather and poor flying conditions than fighting the Japanese. The dense fog over Dutch Harbor and other islands was the reason many pilots didn’t see mountains until it was too late.

Also, pilots and other soldiers were not properly geared for the cold conditions. Many U.S. soldiers died from hypothermia.

At the time of his death, Siebenaler was flying a B-17 bomber.

The campaign on the Aleutian Islands was the second attack by the Japanese on American soil. The Japanese had occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska. Because of the remoteness of the islands, and the rugged terrain, it took nearly a year for the Americans to remove the Japanese presence.

The islands were considered to be of strategic importance because of the ability to control Pacific routes from them.

It is believed that the Japanese invaded the islands to protect themselves from an attack from the northern flank against their empire.

Siebenaler will be honored with the usual fanfare that Christiansen has at these ceremonies. The service is held on the south side of the old high school where the flag will be raised. All are invited to attend.