Duane Buckmaster:
CLASS OF 1938
Community High SchoolClass of 1938
Lohrville, IA
Duane's Story
I graduated 1938. Attended tech school in Kansas City to learn technical side of radio and television, (Television a very new thing then.) Worked as engineer in radio station for a time.Lived in boarding house near Art Institute where I met first wife.Moved to Chicago for job with United Airlines as mechanic repairing radio and electronic systems. Married. After marriage, with entry of US in WW11, enlisted in US army for Aviation Cadet pilot training. 1943 was commissioned second lt. and received pilot's wings. B-17 pilot training at Hobbs NM. Survived crash during training.Was assigned tactical training in B-24 unit as co-pilot. Married Lu Carpenter. Assigned to 464th Bomb Group.Flew with bomber crew to Africa via Fortaleza, Brazil. Then to Italy. Flew 17 combat missions, shot down in raid on oil refinery at Ploesti, Romania. Imprisoned in Bucharest. Underwent bombing by USAF and RAF Bomber Command. Met Princess Catherine who befriended American prisoners. When Russian army invaded Romania, Romania surrendered to Allies and declared war on Germany.Senior American prisoner, Col. John Gunn, was flown to 15th Air Force headquarters in Italy in ME-109 German fighter airplane flown by Romanian fighter pilot who was nephew of Princess Catherine. On hearing of more than 1100 American and British prisoners, General Twining, Commander of 15th Air Force, decided to rescue them by air, using B-17 bombers. The B17s landed on a sod field near Bucharest, and all the prisoners were flown to Bari, Italy where some were hospitalized. When all were physically ok to fly, all were transported by ship to the US from Naples to New York City.. After a recuperative leave of absence, returned to active duty. Was awarded Air Medal with five battle stars, and...Expand for more
Distinguished Flying Cross.Honorable discharge in 1945. Retained status as retired officer. Back to United Airlines. Promoted to Maintenance Supervisor, then to Maintenance Manager. Transferred with United to Honolulu. Joined active reserve as pilot based at Hickam Field. At that time had two sons. A daughter was born in Hawaii.At entry of US into Korean conflict, was recalled to active duty. Staff officer and pilot in Air Transport Group. Promoted to Captain. Many flights to Japan carrying US infantry officers westbound and wounded soldiers to Tripler General Hospital on Oahu eastbound with US Army nurses onboard to care for wounded.Back to United for job as service engineer at San Francisco, then. to Chicago as Maintenance Manager. Promoted to Vice President, then to Senior Vice President in charge of human resources and labor relations. Retired from United, then worked as Labor Mediator and Arbitrator. Finally retired for good, can't remember exactly when .Moved to Portland, Oregon and took up serious trout fishing, sailing and being lazy. Did a little exploring in unfamiliar areas, fell from precipice, injuries nearly fatal but my luck was with me and I escaped with broken bones, spinal fracture, but strong in will and determined not to let my life insurance company off that easy. Still kicking (so far), still fishing, still happily married and still enjoying life. (Failed to mention that at some point I was promoted to Major, USAF). Just call me sir.
I always wanted to be a good guy when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a dubious idea. As it turns out, they were right.
I always wanted to be a good guy when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a doubtful idea. As it turns out, they were right.
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