Clarence William Schlueter
Clarence William Schlueter was born 7-MAR 1930 in New Melle, Missouri. His parents were Earl Julius August Schlueter (1908–1975) and Lavina Martha Weber (1907–1970). Clarence had two brothers: Arthur and Kenneth. In 1930, according to the Federal Census, the family lived in St. Charles MO. By 1940, the family was living in Charrette MO. Clarence was 9 years old.
Clarence enlisted in the Air Force on 17-Mar 1949. At that time, it was peacetime. After basic training, h attended and graduated from radio operator school on 26-Apr 1950. His class was the first night radio class at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi MS.
Clarence was on his way to Yokota Air Force Base in Japan aboard the USS Patrick when the Korean War started on 25-Jun 1950. He arrived in Japan in early July.
Editor’s note: Clarence wrote his memoirs in 2000. The following story is submitted for the most part in his own words:
One morning we fell out for formation and the sergeant said here is a list of the lucky fifty that are going to a radio Jeep outfit in Korea. I was one of the lucky fifty. The US Air Force used radio jeeps in the Korean War to coordinate air strikes and artillery fire between ground commanders and airborne aircraft. These radio jeeps were part of Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs). The radio jeeps were equipped with large silver antennae that protruded from the roof and were made up of Air Force personnel who lived as soldiers at the front lines. They were nicknamed the ‘Air Force infantry’.
For more of his story, click on the pdf below:
