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Elmer Bukey

Elmer Bukey was a member of the 396th Air Service Squadron, 12th Air Service Group, in the CBI during WWII, and spent much time in southwestern China, including very nervous and difficult days during the retreat in front of the Japanese Ichigo campaign during summer and fall of 1944. Above is a photo of Elmer Bukey taken in Calcutta, India, in early 1944.

Photo of Elmer Bukey taken in Calcutta, India, in early 1944.

Elmer Bukey was a member of the 396th Air Service Squadron, 12th Air Service Group, in the CBI during WWII, and spent much time in southwestern China, including very nervous and difficult days during the retreat in front of the Japanese Ichigo campaign during summer and fall of 1944.

Elmer William Bukey Born February 2nd,1921 Columbus, Ohio Parents Elmer F. & Edna Bukey Ten years of education 6 Ele. 4 H.S. Quit school 1937 and went to work. Joined U.S.A.A.F. March 1941 Shipped out to CBI Theatre Nov. 1943 Arrived in China January 1944 Departed Hankow ,China November 1945 Arrived Tacoma Washington Dec.26,1945 Met my wife Grace in 1946 and we were married September 10th 1947. We have two children a daughter Theresa Marie and a son Joseph William. Worked 20 years as a HVAC Sales Engineer and retired in June 1983 and moved to Orlando Florida. I went fishing and Grace played Bingo.Will have been married to the same wonderful woman for sixty years on September 10th of this year. Grace is 88 and I am 86 so old age along with the aches and pains that go with it are creeping up on us. Would not trade my life for any other it has been a ball. Grace & Elmer Bukey

After the war he had a rich life and many years with his wife. He also maintained a website dedicated to all the members of the 396th Air Service Squadron of the 12th Air Service Group that served with the 14th Air Force in the China Theatre of operations during World War Two. "These men came together from all walks of life to form a group that did a job under the most adverse conditions in the world. Supplies and equipment were hard to come by since everything had to be flown over the Hump from India into Kunming, China. These guys salvaged everything they could and when they couldn't do that they improvised to keep them flying."

Remembering Shared Honor interviewing Elmer Bukey at his home in Florida in 2002. Seated on right is Patrick Lucas, and the cameraman is HUANG Xiling.
Remembering Shared Honor interviewing Elmer Bukey at his home in Florida in 2002. Seated on right is Patrick Lucas, and the cameraman is HUANG Xiling.

 

 

Elmer and his wife seeing us off after our visit.
Elmer and his wife seeing us off after our visit.
Elmer Bukey smoking a pipe in China during WWII.
Elmer Bukey smoking a pipe in China during WWII.
This Great Award Was Bestowed On Me By The Board Members Of The 14th Air Force Association At The Memorial Day Meeting In 2006.I Am Very Proud And Humbled By This Award And Wish To Thank All The Board Members For This Prestigious Award.
"This Great Award Was Bestowed On Me By The Board Members Of The 14th Air Force Association At The Memorial Day Meeting In 2006.I Am Very Proud And Humbled By This Award And Wish To Thank All The Board Members For This Prestigious Award."
 
This Award Was Given Me By The Luichow, China Cultural Society For Publications And Photos That I Donated To Them For The Preservation Of The Luichow, China History. Translation Of The ABove Chinese Characters In The Award. Those (4) Photos Of The Flying Tigers You Donated Are Now Collected By Our Department As A Historical Record Of Luichow. Thank you For Supporting Us To Keep The History And Culture Of Luichow Alive Today,And We Hope There Can Be More Cooperation Between Us To Improve The Friendship Between China And The United States. Luichow Cultural Affairs Department, Chinese Service Award Badge
"This Award Was Given Me By The Luichow, China Cultural Society For Publications And Photos That I Donated To Them For The Preservation Of The Luichow, China History.

Those (4) Photos Of The Flying Tigers You Donated Are Now Collected By Our Department As A Historical Record Of Luichow. Thank you For Supporting Us To Keep The History And Culture Of Luichow Alive Today,And We Hope There Can Be More Cooperation Between Us To Improve The Friendship Between China And The United States.

Luichow Cultural Affairs Department,
Chinese Service Award Badge"
This Medal Was Issued By The Chinese Nationalist Government Of Taiwan In Rememberance To All That Served In China During The Years 1942 ~ 1945 In The War With Japan. It Is A Prized Possesion.
"This Medal Was Issued By The Chinese Nationalist Government Of Taiwan In Remembrance To All That Served In China During The Years 1942 ~ 1945 In The War With Japan. It Is A Prized Possession."

 

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Submitted by Pat on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 10:35


Date:      10/25/2017, 12:22 AM, EST
Name:      Gail Cooper Baumgartner-Brown
My father, S/Sgt Joseph Cooper is pictured here in Elmer's pages twice. He first arrived in Kunming in 1943, but spent most of his time at the base in Kwalin. He flew over The Hump several times, and was the flight engineer on Brig. Gen Casey Vincent's Silver Slipper. He and Elmer remained close friends until my Dad's passing on 6/1/06. I remained in touch with Elmer, and visited with him and his wife, Grace, in their home in Orlando several times. Sadly, we also lost Elmer a couple of years ago.

Submitted by Pat on Fri, 02/19/2021 - 10:38

Date:      1/13/2014, 11:11 PM, EST
Name:      Jeff Murray
Email:      vcrllc@roadrunner.com
Hello, Great site! Does anyone remember my father, Edison C. Murray of the 369Th? He repaired instruments. Thanks, Jeff Murray

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