Gerald Klecker

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Lt. Gerald J. Klecker Discharged

One of 3 Sons of William Klecker Serving Country

Lt. Gerald J. Klecker, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Klecker, route 2, who arrived back in the U.S. from England, where he was based with the Eighth Air force. At Fort Sheridan he received his honorable discharge.

His wife, who was a member of the WACS, was serving in Texas and was expected to come here with him for a visit within a month or six weeks. She, too, was slated for release from service. Her home is in Ohio. Her coming visit here will be her first to Watertown.

Lt. Klecker took part in 33 missions over enemy territory and had a great many close calls. His group was the first to carry the war directly over Berlin, with a bombing attack. He served as navigator on a B-17.

He joined the local unit of the National Guard in May, 1939 and left with the guard for Louisiana in 1940. In 1943 he transferred to the air corps and after his training in this country went overseas in July, 1944.

He was a brother of Lt. Robert Klecker, 21, who had been missing in action over Germany since July, 1944. He said there is still a slight hope that he may be heard from and every effort is now being made to trace him.

In addition, there is an older brother in service, Lt. Raymond Klecker, who is expected home tomorrow on what may be his last leave home before going overseas in the Pacific. He is now a member of a B-29 crew, having previously been an instructor at Monroe, La., after which he was given special training in radar.

Another brother, Gene Klecker, is due to graduate from Watertown High school tonight [1]. He has been a champion debater at the school and at the recent Memorial Day service delivered the Lincoln Gettysburg address here. He is one of the top ranking honor students and at tonight's exercise will deliver an address on the subject, "A Challenge to You."

Lt. Klecker said that he is glad to be back in this country, that for him it is the only country he would want to live and work in.

He declined at this time to pose for a photograph and suggested instead that when his wife comes here for her first visit he would pose for a photograph with her and the reporter thought that would be a good idea, too.

Lt. Klecker said he has no immediate plans for the future after he is discharged, but that he will probably continue his education at some college or university before settling down.

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[1] Watertown Daily Times, 06 07 1945, “Lt. Gerald J. Klecker Will Receive Discharge”