Joseph was born in Appleton on February 2, 1921. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Appleton High School. He worked for Kafura Electric Service as a journeyman electrician before entering the Army on September 9, 1942. The Army sent him to study radio mechanics in Madison, Wisconsin, and Boca Raton, Florida.

After the war, Kugler returned to Appleton and married Grace Verbeten in 1945. The couple raised four children. Kugler worked as an electrician for several local contractors before retiring in 1977. He died at the age of 79 on December 14, 2000.

Back

Back

Joseph Kugler's Victory medal (left),
Good Conduct medal (center),
and American Campaign medal (right),
circa 1945
Loan from Grace Kugler