BRIEFING DOCUMENT: Howard Leroy Kilmer

Subject: Life and Military Service of Howard Leroy Kilmer

Date: October 26, 2023

1. Overview:

This document summarizes the key details concerning Howard Leroy Kilmer, drawing from the provided text. The document tracks his life from his birth in rural Texas to his ultimate sacrifice during World War II. It highlights his family background, education, and his service in the US Army Air Forces.

2. Key Biographical Information:

Full Name: Howard Leroy Kilmer

Birth Date: January 19, 1923

Birth Location: McCulloch County, Texas

Parents:Ethel Blanche Sansom (born 1902, Texas; died 1984, Brady, Texas)

William Newman Kilmer (born 1891, Texas; died 1970, Brady, Texas)

Family: Howard had three siblings by 1930 and four siblings by 1935 and 1940. He was part of a larger family unit in rural Texas.

Education: He completed four years of high school.

Residence: He lived in McCulloch County, Texas for the entirety of his civilian life.

3. Military Service:

Enlistment: Kilmer enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a private on June 18, 1941, at Dallas, Texas. He transitioned from civilian life into military service and was noted as single and unemployed at the time of enlistment.

"Howard L. Kilmer asn-18040860 a single white male born Texas in 1923 residing in McCulloch County, Texas unemployed with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as a private at Dallas, Texas on 18 June 1941."

Rank and Role: He became a Flight Officer (F/O) with serial number T-060141. His role was that of a co-pilot.

Unit: Assigned to the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force.

Aircraft: Served as the co-pilot of a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, serial number 42-31731.

Base: Operating out of Thorpe Abbotts Air Field, England.

4. Mission and Death:

Mission: On March 6, 1944, Kilmer's crew participated in a combat bombing mission to Berlin, Germany.

Fate: His B-17 was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed near Uptloh, close to Quackenbruck, Germany.

"The B-17 was shot down by enemy fighters and crashed at Uptloh, near Quackenbruck, Germany."

Casualties: Flight Officer Kilmer and eight other crew members were killed in the crash. One crew member was captured.

Initial Burial: His remains were initially buried in Germany.

5. Repatriation and Final Burial:

Repatriation: In 1949, Kilmer’s remains were repatriated to the United States.

Final Resting Place: He was reinterred at the Placid Cemetery in McCulloch County, Texas.

"F/O Kilmer's remains were buried there until 1949 and then repatriated to America and reinterred at the Placid Cemetery in McCulloch County, Texas."

6. Key Themes and Analysis:

Rural Roots: Kilmer’s life began in a rural Texan setting, typical of the era. The census data highlights his roots, suggesting the simplicity and hard work that likely shaped his character before his military service.

Transition to War: His entry into the US Army Air Corps at the age of 18 reflects the massive mobilization effort of WWII and represents the significant personal shift in the lives of many young men of his generation.

Sacrifice: Kilmer's death underscores the immense sacrifices made by American servicemen during the war. He transitioned from an unemployed young man to a dedicated aviator, losing his life in a dangerous mission over enemy territory.

Enduring Legacy: His repatriation and reburial back in his home county demonstrate the commitment to honoring and remembering fallen soldiers.

7. Conclusion:

Howard Leroy Kilmer's story is a snapshot of one of the countless individuals who contributed to the WWII effort. It tells a story of a life rooted in rural America, a swift transition to a life of service, and ultimate sacrifice in a war that demanded so much. His life, though tragically cut short, serves as a reminder of the personal cost of global conflict.