Joseph Klim

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Sgt Klim served in the 757th Bomb Squadron as a nose gunner in the crew of the B-24 ship "Miss Carriage", piloted by Clayton Shaplelton Elwood "Stapps" from Fairfield, CT.

Sgt Klim flew 30 combat missions from December 26th,1944 to April 26th, 1945. He flew with crew on 24 missions and his son, Mike Klim, states he flew his last 6 missions with other crews as bombardier.

Joseph W.Klim, passed on 8-3-2010. He was part of the 15th Army Air Corp, 459th Heavy Bomb Group, 757th Bomb Squadron.

Dad and I were discussing growing up and time passing so quickly when he shared this with me. He had not shared much of his service, his involvement, or the fact that some of their targets were close to where our family had originally come from until then.

His 1st mission, at the age of 18, was on 26/Dec/1944, Mission #170, to bomb an oil refinery.

It's location, Aswicim, Poland. They were flying in the "box formation" and they had arrived at the bombing location, opened their bomb bay doors, and and were about to drop their ordinance. German anti aircraft guns were in full deployment and dad was the nose gunner on his first mission. The plane in front of his received a direct hit into their bomb bay and they flew through its debris. He said, "Son, I grew up that day along with many others."

Dad was a man of faith and in another conversation he shared another experience. He didn't mention the date or mission, only that on that day they encountered a "welcoming committee". German fighters were on them. In planes radio was hit and miss and he heard one of the crew hollering to him. He turned to hear what was being said and missed being killed by bullets that ripped through the seat behind where his head had been.

Once back on the ground, he thanked him for making him turn around > only to hear him say, "I didn't call you Joe..."

Sgt Klim served in the 757th Bomb Squadron as a nose gunner in the crew of the B-24 ship "Miss Carriage", piloted by Clayton Shaplelton Elwood "Stapps" from Fairfield, CT.

Joseph W.Klim, passed on 8-3-2010. He was part of the 15th Army Air Corp, 459th Heavy Bomb Group, 757th Bomb Squadron.

His 1st mission, at the age of 18, was on 26/Dec/1944, Mission #170, to bomb an oil refinery.

Once back on the ground, he thanked him for making him turn around > only to hear him say, "I didn't call you Joe..."

Sgt Joseph W Klim was assigned to the 459th BG 757th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): NoseTurret.

The following information on Joseph Klim is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on Sgt Klim. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Joseph Klim's military record please contact us.