Peter Klinke, 2005

File — Box: 31, Folder: 12

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Klinke (b. 1920) was born in Fortine, Montana. He joined the Air Corps as 18-years-old. He took basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Missiouri and airplane mechanic school at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi. He became a flight engineer and joined his crew in June 1942. The B-26 crew flew overseas in October 1942, and was based in North Africa. Klinke flew a total of twenty-one missions before being shot down over Italy. He hid with friendly villagers for several days until he returned to US lines and eventually back to North Africa. He was shipped home in November 1943 and was assigned as a gunnery instructor in Louisiana until discharged at the end of the war. Mr. Klinke operated a Christmas tree farm as a career and was active in several military organizations. 72 pages.

Dates

2005

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.