Peter L Kleist, Uncle Roy to me, started his active duty in the AAF March 6, 1942 and mustered out of March 5,1945. Serving in the 301st Bombardment Group, 352nd Bomb Squadron flying out of England (UK) as a Bombardier in the 8th AAF.  On September 14th he was assigned to the 12th AAF in North Africa, moved to Foggia, Italy Nov 1st, 1943 assigned to the 15th AAF. He was a original crew member of Moonlight Cocktail a F model B17, I can’t pin point when or where.

With information I have compiled to date I have been able to start building this web site. To tell his story, I should start at the beginning.

I grew up in rural Indiana with my two brothers, my Grand Mother Kleist lived next door to my parents. Uncle Roy lived in Van Nuys, California and would make frequent visits to my home town, Winamac, Indiana. Being the youngest of three boys not old enough to be out doing things on my own very often, I spent most of my time around the house. So when Uncle Roy would make one of his many visits to town he always made the time to spend we me. Once in a while we would go to town and nose around. Once he  purchased streamers and everything else that a kid would want one his new bicycle. He was always doing little things that is the type of person he was. At that time I was not aware of the sacrifices he made only a few years before. Too young at the time.

A few years later I began to hear things about him at family gatherings and the stories my father talked about. Things about his participation in the 2nd World War. A war that he would never talk about. I knew a few things like he had been shot down three times while on missions deep into occupied Europe. Twice the underground had got him back to allied lines. Once his plane ditched in the Mediterranean where he was picked up by local fisherman or a British patrol boat. As a kid I would always listen to the stories with great interest.

I would go next door to visit my Grandmother from time to time. There was a cedar chest at the end of the bed in her guest room and I always wondered what was in it. The guest room was just of the kitchen where we would visit and the chest was in clear view adding to my interest. On one of my visits my grandmother told me that the chest contained things from the war that belonged to my Uncle. She then let me open the chest and look over its contents, Medals, Ribbons, Flight Jacket and photos of him as a Cadet and a 2nd LT. Photos of him at Geiger Field and two photos of B17s ( Moonlight Cocktail and Bachelors’ DELIGHT) with my Uncle and crews pictured.

Years later I came to realize that a lot of these artifacts had disappeared for one reason or another.

This is when I started to research my Uncles involvement in the war.

The summer of 1985 I worked a World War ll War Bird Air Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. The next week I sent photos and booklets to my Uncle in hopes that they would unlock his silence that he maintained over the years. The next Sunday afternoon he called and began to tell me of the experiences he had during the war. We spent what seemed three hours or more on the phone, he was talking and I was listing. At times I was able to sneak in a question or two. He told me about the missions he flew,the friendly fighters, the enemy fighters , the flack, the bomb runs and the release of bombs over the target. He described the carnage of the air war that took place 22,000  feet above earth. In his words “as I can remember”, what is was like flying through a air born junk yard of exploding aircraft and the head on confrontations with enemy fighters.He talked of the friends, wounded and dying crew members. So much information that I was overwhelmed.

I tried to document what he had to say but it was hard to remember it all. Knowing that we would talk more on down the road and I would be able to put together a more accurate story I wasn't concerned of the information that I had missed. He passed away later that year taking all of what he had to say about that crucial point in time.

This brings me to the reason for maintaining this web site and adding new information as it becomes available. I want to document as much as I can about him and the 352nd Bomb Squadron before it is all lost in time. To honor Him and those who served with him, he deserves it, they deserve it.

The words “Greatest Generation” couldn't be more fitting to them all.

Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force 1944


General Order #123 Date 03/11/1944

Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 126, Headquarters MATOUSA. 2 July 1943, and letter, Headquarters NAFF, file 210.5 30 May 1943, the First Oak Leaf Cluster / Air Medal is awarded the following named personnel, air Corps, Army USA, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana. From 4 Jan 1944 to 19 Jan 1944  Air Medal (AM) / First Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze


01/04/1944  Sofa Bulgaria -City

01/07/1944  Fiume Italy - TW

01/08/1944  Reggio/Emilia Italy - ACF/MY

01/09/1944  Pola Italy - AD

01/10/1944  Sofia Bulgaria - City

01/11/1944  Piraeus Greece - H   

01/13/1944  Rome Italy - AD

01/14/1944  Mostar Yugoslavia - AD

01/15/1944  Fano Italy - RR Bridge

01/16/1944  Klagenfurt Austria - ACF

01/17/1944  Pontassive Italy - RR Bridge/MY

01/18/1944  Pontedera Italy - RR Bridge/MY

01/19/1944  Rome Italy - AD


______________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #123 Part Two Date 03/11/1944

Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 126, Headquarters NATOUSA. 2 July 1943, and letter, Headquarters NAFF, file 210.5 30 May 1943, the first (1st) Oak Leaf Cluster ( Bronze for the Air Medal is awarded the following named personnel, air Corps, Army USA, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.

Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 22 Jan 1944 to 27 Jan 1944

Air Medal (AM)


01/22/1944  Turin Italy - MY

01/23/1944  Ceprano Italy - RR Bridge

01/24/1944  Din Tserovene Bulgaria - MY

01/25/1944  Perugia Italy - MY

01/27/1944   Montpellier France - AD

________________________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #446 Date 05/14/1944

Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 26, NATOUSA, 6 March 1944, the Air Medal and (2nd) Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal, in the categories as listed, is awarded the following named personnel, 352nd Bombardment Squadron, 301st  B bombardment Group, Army for the United States, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.

Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 29 Jan 1944 to 24 Feb 1944                                      

2nd  Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze / Air Medal (AM)


01/29/1944  Prato Italy - MY

01/30/1944  Villaorba Italy - LG

01/31/1944  Klagenfurt Austria - AD

02/04/1944  Autheor France - VD

02/12/1944  Ariccia Italy - TRC

02/14/1944  Brescia Italy - MY

02/15/1944  Cassino Italy - M

02/17/1944  Campoleno Italy - Town

02/22/1944  Regensburg Germany ACF

02/24/1944  Steyr Austria -- ACF


______________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #447 Date 05/14/1944


Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 26, NATOUSA, the Air Medal and/or (3rd) Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal in the categories as listed, is awarded the following named personnel, 352nd Bombardment Squadron, 301st  B bombardment Group, Army for the United States, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 4 jan 1944 to 10 Jan 1944 (3rd) Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze /Air Medal (AM)


03/02/1944  Anzio Beachhead Italy TRC

03/03/1944  Rome Italy - MY

03/07/1944  Toulon France - MY

03/11/1944  Padua Italy - MY

03/15/1944  Cassino Italy - Town

03/17/1944  Fischamend Markt Austria - ACF

03/18/1944  Villaorba Italy - LG


______________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #732 Date 05/30/1944


Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 126, Headquarters MATOUSA, and letter, Headquarters NAFF, file 210.5 30 May 1943, the Air Medal / (4th) First Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded the following named personnel, air Corps, Army USA, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 19 March 1944 to 17 April 1944                                       (4th) Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze / Air Medal (AM)


03/19/1944  Klagenfurt Austria - AD

03/22/1944  Verona Italy - MY

03/26/1944  Steyr Austria -BB

03/28/1944  Verona Italy - MY

03/29/1944  Turin Italy - MY

03/30/1944  Verona Italy - MY

04/02/1944  Steyr Austria -BB

04/03/1944  Budapest Hungry - ACF

04/04/1944  Buharest  Romania MY

04/05/1944  Poliest  Romania - MY

04/07/1944  Terviso Italy - MY

04/12/1944  Fischamend Markt Austria - ACF

04/13/1944  Gyor Hungry = AD

04/15/1944  Poliest Romania - MY

04/16/1944  Brasov Romania - ACF

04/17/1944  Belgrade Yugoslavia ACF

______________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #1161 Date 06/19/1944


Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 126, Headquarters MATOUSAand letter, Headquarters NAFF, file 210.5 30 May 1943, the Air Medal /(5th) Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded the following named personnel, air Corps, Army USA, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 28 April 1944 to 14 May1944                                      

(5th) Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze / Air Medal (AM) 04/28/1944 Rome Italy - AD


04/29/1944 Toulon france - SSP

04/30/1944 Milan Italy - ACF

05/05/1944 Polesti Romania - OR

05/06/1944  Brasov Romania PS

05/07/1944  Bucharest Romania - MY

05/10/1944  Weiner-Nnustadt Austria - ACF

05/12/1944 Chivasso Italy - MY

05/13/1944 Avisio Italy - RR Bridge

05/14/1944  Mataua Italy - MY


______________________________________________________________________________________


General Order #1167 Date 07/19/1944


Under the provisions of AR 6000-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in Circular No. 126, Headquarters MATOUSA and letter, Headquarters NAFF, file 210.5 30 May 1943, the Air Medal /(6th) Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded the following named personnel, air Corps, Army USA, residence as indicated for meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational operational activities against the enemy between dates indicated.


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 19 March 1944 to 17 April 1944  (6th) Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) Bronze / Air Medal (AM)


05/22/1944  Avenzzano Italy - Town

05/24/1944  Avisio Italy - RR Bridge

05/25/1944  Lyons France - MY

05/26/1944  St Etienne France - MY

05/27/1944  Avignon France - MY

05/29/1944  Wollersdorf Austria - AD

05/30/1944  Zagreb Yugoslavia - MY

05/31/1944  Polesti Romania - OR

06/02/1944  Oradea Romania - MY

06/04/1944  Autheor France - VD

06/05/1944  Vado Italy - VD

06/06/1944  Turnu-Severin Yugoslavia - Canal

06/08/1944  Pola Italy - SSP


________________________________________________________________________________________________


Peter L Kleist 2nd Lt Route 35 Winamac, Indiana From 25 FEB 1944

(PCU) Presidential Unit Citation

Regensburg Germany - ACF   


2nd Lt Peter L Kleist was on the roster of personnel  assigned to the 301st BG on this day 25 Feb 1944                       


Peter Leroy Kleist, born April 10, 1920 in Chicago,IL.

Passed away at the age of  65 in Van Nuys, California 1985.

Aviation Cadet, Santa Ana California

Active duty March 6, 1942 - March 5, 1945. Bombardier 15th AAF, 301st BG, 352nd BS.

8th AAF, 12th AAF and the 15th AAF

Served in the ETO, MTO, Middle East Theater of Operations

Extract:  San Angelo AAF, Texas August 31, 1945 - September 6, 1945


Separation: Camp Atterby, Indiana. September 8,  1945

Arrive Home Town: Winamac, Indiana. September 9, 1945

2nd Lt Peter L Kleist   

  Bombardier 352nd BS, 301st BG



Bombing involved complex principles of physics and mathematics, including the laws of falling bodies and of motion, and concepts of air resistance and air movement. Students, to succeed as bombardiers, had to he able to comprehend these principles. Allied traits included a good memory; ability to locate and identify, the target; and ability to perform duties rapidly and accurately under pressure of limited time and the strain of combat. A graduate of bombardier school had to he confident, resourceful, and cooperative. He was a leader, planner and organizer who was willing to take responsibility for the success of missions.

And evidence of absolute loyalty was required of the bombardier, perhaps more so than of any other air crew member. The bombardier was given the care of an instrument that was early classified as "Secret". This instrument was the Norden bombsight, a precision bomb-aiming and bomb release mechanism, actually a very delicate and sophisticated target-tracking computer. The bombardier knew this complex instrument inside and out.

Dan & I

Ephrata, WN

352nd BS Bombardier

Dan ?

Peter Leroy Kleist 1920 - 1985. Bombardier Cadet

301st BG, 352nd BS

Peter L Kleist

Enhrata, WN

LINK to WWll Memorial

Bombardier Cadet

Unclassified Documents15th AF  352nd BS

As Of  25 February, 1944

General Orders 15th AAF  11 March 1944  #132 thru #1617

Bombardiers Wings

General Orders #123 Page #1

General Orders #446 Page  #2

General Orders #447 Page #2

General Orders #732 Page #3

General Orders #123 Page #3

General Orders #123 Page #5

General Orders #446 Page  #4

General Orders #447 Page #3

General Orders #732 Page #4

General Orders #732 Page #5

General Orders #446 Page  #5

Below are copy’s of General Orders March thru May 1944. Only the pages that make reference too Moonlight Cocktail crew members are shown.


Below are the only remaining records from the St Louis fire

Last Update 02/11/2012

Bachelors’ DELIGHT

Moonlight Cocktail