Walter Thieleke To March Field
Walter Thieleke, of the army air corps, who has been on furlough since April 25, has received orders to reported for duty at the reception center at March Field, Calif., on Sept. 28. He enlisted last Feb. 18, and was stationed at Patterson Field, Dayton, Ohio, until he was granted the furlough.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke, will leave with him for California on Sept. 16. They will spend the winter in Hollywood, where their other son, Paul, is located. Paul is a dispatcher for the Lockheed Aircraft Company.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, September 4, 1942
Walter Thieleke To Air Corps
Walter Thieleke, who enlisted in the army air corps last Feb. 18, received a call while at March Field, Calif., to report for duty at Kelly Field, Tex.
Walter left Carroll on Sept. 28 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton J. Thieleke, who are spending the winter in Hollywood with their son, Paul, a dispatcher for the Lockheed Aircraft Company. They reside at 1132 North Vista, Hollywood.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, November 10, 1942 (photo included)
PRIMARY FLIGHT TRAINING
Aviation Cadet Walter Thieleke has completed his pre-flight training at San Antonio, Tex., and has been sent to Spartan Field, Tulsa, Okla., for his primary flight training. His new address is: A/C Walter L. Thieleke, 314th A.A.F.-F.T.D., Barracks 10, Tulsa, Okla. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke of Carroll who are spending the winter at 1132 North Vista, Hollywood, Calif.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, February 23, 1943
BASIC TRAINING
Aviation Cadet Walter Thieleke has been transferred from Spartan Field, Tulsa, Okla., where he completed his primary training, to Strother Army Air Field, Winfield, Kan., for his basic training. His new address is: A/C Walter L. Thieleke, Aviation Cadet Detachment, Strother Army Air Field, Winfield, Kan.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, May 7, 1943
Walter L. Thieleke Is Now Second Lieutenant
Walter L. Thieleke was graduated Monday from the advanced flying school at Altus, Okla., where he received his “wings” and a second lieutenant’s commission.
Lt. Thieleke was called for active duty Sept. 18, 1942. He took his pre-flight training at Kelly Field, Tex., his primary pilot’s training at the Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Okla., and his basic training at Strother Army Air Field, Winfield, Kas. Then he was sent to the twin engine advanced flying school at Altus. He now goes to a P-38 transitional school for tactical training before going into combat.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, August 31, 1943
LIEUT. THIELEKE VISITS
Lieut. Walter Thieleke, of the army air forces, left yesterday for his post at Pueblo, Colo., after visiting his grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Thieleke, and family since Saturday noon. Lieut. Thieleke, who had been at Lincoln, Neb., on a military mission, came to Carroll from there.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, November 8, 1943
Lieut. Thieleke, Former Resident, Missing in Action
Lost Over Yugoslavia on July 7, Uncle in Carroll Hears From Family
Lieutenant Walter Thieleke of Hollywood, Calif., formerly of Carroll, has been missing in action since July 7, in Yugoslavia, according to word received this morning by his uncle, William S. Thieleke of Carroll.
Lieut. Thieleke, who is with the army air forces, has been overseas since February 1944. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke of Hollywood, formerly of Carroll.
A telegram to William S. Thieleke from Paul Thieleke of Hollywood, brother of the missing flier, states: “Received telegram from secretary of war that Lieutenant Walter Thieleke has been missing in action since July 7, in Yugoslavia. No details given.”
Lieut. Thielek has been in the service since November, 1942.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, July 19, 1944 (photo included)
Parents Get Letter From Lieut. Thieleke, Written Day Before He Was Lost
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke of Carroll, who are staying with their son, Paul, at 1132 North Vista, Hollywood, 46, Calif., for the duration, have written friends here that their son, Lieutenant Walter Thieleke, reported missing in action over Yugoslavia July 7, had written them a letter on the preceding day—July 6. At that time, he had just returned from a rest camp on the Isle of Capri.
Lieut. Thieleke, first pilot of a large bomber, had completed 30 missions. He has been in Italy for four months.
In a letter to his parents, Lieut. Thieleke had written that two months ago his crew of ten men was lost with the exception of himself and one other. Although he, was injured, he succeeded in getting his plane, which was badly shot, back to his base. A few weeks ago he was shot again with a piece of shrapnel, but he had recovered from these wounds.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, July 22, 1944
Shot Down In Enemy Area; Lieut. Thieleke Escapes
“I just got back from an extended tour of several of the Balkan countries on foot.” So wrote Lieutenant Walter Thieleke, who made his way to Italy after being reported missing in action over Yugoslavia, in a letter to Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wilke. The letter was written in Italy, August 5.
Referring to the day on which his plane was shot down, he explains: “We took off for a mission up in Germany July 7, and just as I came off the target, I was shot down. Thirteen German fighters made three passes at me, but I still would have been O.K. if one wise guy had not put a 20 mm cannon shell through my gas tank and started it on fire. A gas fire is always fatal, so I ordered the crew to bail out. Everyone got out and about two minutes after I jumped the plane blew up.
“After I hit the ground, I got mixed up with some Germans, but later that evening I saw a chance and was away like a deer. In the course of about a month, I made my way back to Italy.”
T/Sgt. Dick Gilsworth, an engineer on Lieut. Thieleke’s crew, had written his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke of Hollywood, Calif., and Carroll, a letter dated July 30, in which he said that he was in a ship flying on Lieut. Thieleke’s left wing, when Lieut. Thieleke’s plane was shot down. His version of the attack corroborates Lieut. Thieleke’s account.
Sgt. Gilsworth also wrote, “I do not know what happened to him (Lieut. Thieleke) after he hit the ground, but he was in enemy country very heavily defended by the Germans.”
Source: Carroll Times Herald, August 18, 1944
LT. WALTER THIELEKE IN CALIFORNIA AFTER FORTY-FOUR MISSIONS
Lieutenant Walter Thieleke, of Carroll and Hollywood, Calif., who has completed 43 missions over Germany, France, Italy and the Balkan countries, is at present spending a 21-day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thieleke, in Hollywood. He then reports to Santa Monica, Calif., for reassignment to duty. Lieutenant Thieleke, first pilot on a Be-24 heavy bomber, left the United States last March 9 for Italy.
On his 44th mission to Blechimen, Germany, on July 7, his plane was shot down on the way back from his target. He was captured by the Germans when he parachuted out, but escaped from them the following day, he has written to his friends here.
He also says that for the next 26 days, he was on his own, making his way through Hungary on foot to Yugoslavia. He traveled day and night, eating what he could steal out of gardens by night. On the 26th day, he got in touch with Marshal Tito’s partisans and, through their help, returned to Italy. He says he was the only one of his crew to escape, the rest being either missing or captured.
Lieutenant Thieleke received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bringing his badly damaged plane back to his base, saving the lives of three of his crewmen who were seriously wounded on the mission over Munich, Germany, June 9.
He also has a presidential citation for action over the Polesti oil fields on May 31, and the air medal with four oak leaf clusters.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, September 25, 1944
WITH THE ARMED FORCES
The following letter has been received by Mrs. Johnson from Lieutenant Walter Thieleke whose address is: Lieutenant W. L. Thieleke Post Headquarters Box 237, Tyndall Field, Panama City, Fla.
Dear Mrs. Johnson:
Yes, I have been quite a few places and have seen a lot of things—some of them I never want to see again, but that always goes with the good things.
After I landed in the U. S. from Italy, I spent 40 of the most wonderful days of my life at home. It seems after you are away a long time you do not realize really how much is at home waiting for your return.
I like my work here very much. I am Squadron Commander and Chief Test Pilot here. Besides keeping my Squadron working, I test all the new planes and those that have been rebuilt. It is very interesting and I have a lot of fun doing it.
You asked about my typing. Yes, I used it quite a lot but now I have a private secretary and she can really take shorthand and type.
We have been having a lot of rain and cloudy weather the last few weeks and we did not get very much flying in, but the last two days it has been beautiful and the Squadron is getting back in stride again.
Sincerely, WALT THIELEKE.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, December 11, 1944
SOCIETY NEWS
Miss Francis Howell of Panama City, Florida, Is Bride of Captain Thieleke
Miss Francis Howell of Panama City, Fla., became the bride of Walter L. Thieleke, of the army air forces, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton J. Thieleke of Carroll and Hollywood, Calif., in a 5 o’clock ceremony Saturday afternoon, June 30, in the post chapel at Panama City. The Rev. Father Daffney officiated.
Nuptial vows were taken before an altar banked with white flowers.
Miss Etta Roache attended the bride as maid of honor and Lieutenant Dames served as best man for Captain Thieleke. The bride’s brother-in-law and sister were also in the wedding party. Officers at the post who are close friends of the bridal couple stood around the altar rail.
The bride wore a light blue street dress and Capt. Thieleke wore his dress uniform.
As the bride and groom left the chapel, the band played Lohengrin’s Wedding march until the couple reached the home of the bride’s brother-in-law and sister, where a reception was held. The wedding cake, its top covered with white flowers, centered the bridal table, which was further decorated with pink and white carnations and lacey ferns.
Capt. and Mrs. Thieleke will lived in an officer’s house at Tyndall Field, Panama City.
Mrs. Thieleke, originally from Virginia, has been with her sister in Panama City the last year. Capt. Thieleke was graduated from Carroll high school. He has been in the army air forces nearly three years. After the plane which he piloted over Germany was shot down, he was taken prisoner, but escaped. He is now a pilot instructor at Tyndall Field.
Captain Thieleke and his bride were in Carroll six weeks ago so that she might meet the captain’s parents, who are still here on a visit from Hollywood.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, July 9, 1945
Walter Thieleke Now In Hollywood After Discharge
Captain Walter Thieleke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton J. Thieleke of Hollywood, Calif., formerly of Carroll, is on terminal leave until Dec. 16. He received his discharge from the army air forces Oct. 23, at Tyndall Field, Fla. At the expiration of his leave, he will go into the Officers Reserve Corps, retaining the rank of captain.
Capt. and Mrs. Thieleke are now at their home in Hollywood.
He enlisted in the air corps Oct. 22, 1942, and was graduated from advanced flying school as pilot Aug. 30, 1943.
As first pilot of a B-24 bomber, he flew 44 missions over Germany, France, Italy and the Balkan countries. He was shot down on a mission over Blackheimen, Germany, July 7, 1944, and was captured by the Germans, from whom he escaped and made his way to friendly territory. Subsequently, he was returned to the United States.
During the past year, Capt. Thieleke has been stationed at Tyndall Field, Fla., as chief test pilot. He flight tested new planes on the field and planes that had major overhauls, including B-29s and B-32s.
Capt. Thieleke holds the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster; Purple Heart with one cluster; Air Medal with three clusters; American theater ribbon and European theater ribbon with four battle stars. He has also shared in a Presidential citation with one cluster.
Source: Carroll Times Herald, December 4, 1945
Walter Leo Thieleke died May 23, 2005 and is buried in Dykes Cemetery, needs, FL.
Lt. Col. Thieleke served with the U.S. Air Force in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Source: ancestry.com
