Father: Valentine Klusek (Polish) Ed: Bylac Grammar School Next of kin: (mother): Victoria Klusek Also had a brother, Louis, who lived at 1595 Odell St., Parkchester, Bronx, N.Y. prev. a pilot and automobile dealer. US Air Corps Reserve. Address in 1940: 2242 E Hamilton Ave, Springfield Postings: 3FPP 1 accident, 18 Aug 1941, due to 'taxying in strong wind with insufficient care' In April 1941, he was a lunchtime speaker at a meeting organised by the Chamber of Commerce in Charleston; "Klusek returned from England a few days ago for a week's leave of absence, and left Springfield today for Canada whence he will fly bombers to England." He said that "superior ability in recruiting new pilots will be one of the strong factors which will enable England to win over Germany in the present war." Seconded to AtFero In 1942, after leaving the ATA, he was pilot of a "big ship" being delivered across the Pacific "for General MacArthur's forces to use in checking Japan's drive southward", when they hit a tropical storm near Oahu. His co-pilot said "Finally we found a hole and got down lower but there was nothing but water and believe me, there's lots of it between the United States and Australia." Eventually they landed but "did not have enough gasoline left to taxi off the runway." d. 2 Nov 1987 - Springfield
Buried Cavalry Cemetery. "A resident of Dawson for 35 years, he was the president and founder of the Kluzek Industrial Empire Corp. in Dawson. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Buffalo; Elks Lodge 158; O.X. Five Aviation Pioneer Club; and the Silver Wings Fraternity of Aviation Pathfinders. He served as a captain in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and ferried Liberator bombers across the Atlantic to England. Surviving are three daughters, three sons, six grandchildren; one sister, four brothers, several nieces, nephews and cousins. " Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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