Chester P Klier joined the Army Air Corps shortly after the start of the war. He was assigned to the 386th Bomb Group as a flight engineer and top turret gunner in a B-26 bomber (serial number 41-31953) nicknamed "Buzz N Bitch" and was based in England. He flew 66 missions (almost 3 tours), shot down a German fighter. He was awarded the Purple Heart, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Eleven Air Medals, a European Theater of Operations Medal with 2 battle stars, and a Unit Citation.



After the war he began a long career as a design engineer, working on our manned Apollo moon rocket, and various fighter jets and defense projects, retiring from McDonnell Douglas. He became the unit historian for the 386th Bomb Group, remained an active pilot for decades, and built two home built aircraft with the Experimental Aircraft Association. His passion was flying and aviation in general and he remained active in writing the history of his bomb group until his recent death.