Slemp_180319_19807.jpg | Aerographs - Aviation Photography

On June 23rd, 1944, Klubert handed his prized A-2 jacket, with a squadron patch hand-made by an artisan in Casablanca, to crew chief Phil Beckwith, with admonition "Keep this until I return." "American Beauty" was brought down by anti-aircraft fire over Germany. Joe Klubert and his crew bailed out and were taken prisoner. Held overnight in a root cellar, while transport to a POW induction center was obtained, Klubert disappeared. The German guards claimed he was shot while trying to escape. Carl Heimaster, an "American Beauty" crew member, received the A-2 from crew chief Beckwith on Sept. 17th, 1992.

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Filename: Slemp_180319_19807.jpg
Copyright: ©2018 John Slemp
Image Size: 5979x6739 / 7.6MB; 15th AF 451st BG (H) 724th BS A-2 American Beauty B-24 California Italy March Field Museum Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Company Riverside SR-71 SSG Joe Klubert WWII air gunner bomber jackets cold war history military
Contained in galleries: 15th Air Force

On June 23rd, 1944, Klubert handed his prized A-2 jacket, with a squadron patch hand-made by an artisan in Casablanca, to crew chief Phil Beckwith, with admonition "Keep this until I return." "American Beauty" was brought down by anti-aircraft fire over Germany. Joe Klubert and his crew bailed out and were taken prisoner. Held overnight in a root cellar, while transport to a POW induction center was obtained, Klubert disappeared. The German guards claimed he was shot while trying to escape. Carl Heimaster, an "American Beauty" crew member, received the A-2 from crew chief Beckwith on Sept. 17th, 1992.