Duane Kaiser World War II Collection

Collection — Box: One

Identifier: 2020-12-07

Content Description

The Duane Kaiser World War II Collection is a small collection documenting Kaiser's service in the 487th Bomb Group and political career in the Washington State House of Representatives. Materials include photographs (primarily digital prints rather than vintage prints); a scrapbook related to his military service with photographs, military orders, and 487th Bomb group association materials; correspondence and clippings related to his military service; 487th bomb group information; and a clipping and flyer related to his service in the Washington State Legislature.

Dates

Creation: circa 1942-1945, 1983-2002

Creator

Kaiser, Duane, 1920-2018 (Person)

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information

contact us.

Biographical Note: Duane Kaiser

Duane Kaiser served in World War II, was a farmer and educator, and served for three years in the Washington State Legislature.

Kaiser was born in Wyoming in 1920. He served as a B-17 tail gunner in the 487th Bomb Group during World War II, flying 33 missions over Germany. He received an Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters. Afer graduating from Washington State College in 1948 with a degree in education, he earned a Master's in Education from Oregon State University. He taught agriculture and was an advisor for the Future Farmers of America. Additionally he operated a tree farm from 1962-1993. Later in life, he was elected to and served in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1981-1984.

Kaiser was married to his wife Kay in 1947 and they had two daughters. After Kay died in 2001, he married Katharine Gronen in 2002. She died in 2011 and he died in 2018.

Biographical note derived from donor information.