Paul H Klees Jr

Military
Lieutenant Paul H. Klees of the 375th Fighter Squadron, assists a ground crewman of the 361st Fighter Group on an inspection of his P-51 Mustang (E2-V, serial number 44-14827). Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Paul Klees, 375, 11/44, Walther.' media-377235.jpg FRE 517 Lieutenant Paul H. Klees of the 375th Fighter Squadron, assists a ground crewman of the 361st Fighter Group on an inspection of his P-51 Mustang (E2-V, serial number 44-14827). Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Paul Klees, 375, 11/44, Walther.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 517 - Lieutenant Paul H. Klees of the 375th Fighter Squadron, assists a ground crewman of the 361st Fighter Group on an inspection of his P-51 Mustang...

My Father, Paul H Klees, Jr. served in the US ARMY AIR FORCE during WWII. He arrived as a replacement pilot to the 361 about D-day. His first combat mission was about 6/12/1944, ground support for the invasion. He completed 50 combat missions, mostly bomber escort into Germany and returned home to the USA in December 1944. He had two confirmed kills in air combat and several credits for destruction of planes and railroad locomotives during ground strafing missions.



He passed on in 2004.



The photograph you have at this website is a photo I had not seen before. It appears to be Paul H Klees (facing the camera) working with Alvin Walther (his crew chief and good friend). I believe that Mr. Walter was from Cedar Falls Iowa and became a pharmacist after the war. Mr. Walter received a commendation for never having any of the planes he was crew chief of return from a mission due to a mechanical failure.



My Father returned to Buffalo NY and completed a career as a railroad locomotive engineer and retired in 1990 after 49 years of accident and fatality free service.

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Croghan Cruiser/ Waverley Democrat
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 479th Fighter Group 375th Fighter Squadron 435th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

End Tour of Duty (ETD)

Died

Promoted

Revisions

Date
Contributorkevinjklees
Changes
Sources

Kevin J Klees (Hamlin NY) youngest of two sons of Paul and Yvonne Klees.

Date
Contributorkevinjklees
Changes
Sources

Info provided by Kevin J Klees (Hamlin NY), youngest of two sons of Paul and Yvonne Klees of Buffalo NY, USA.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Paul H Klees: Gallery (2 items)