Prior to U.S. entry in World War II, pilots were in training with the U.S. Army Air Corps at Ellington Field near Houston, Texas, which became a pilot training center after a 1940 expansion of the fields, barracks, hangars and the addition of a medical complex. The plan was to train 2,800 bomber pilots in 10-week courses starting every five weeks. They also planned to train 4,480 bombardier cadets every year in a 10-week course. In 1943 the site offered navigator training, using veterans as instructors. As of 1943, 65 women in the Women’s Army Corps worked at Ellington field.

Green County soldier, Roy D. Tilkemeier, Jr. trained with the 76th School Squadron of the US Army Air Corps at Ellington Field.

Roy David Tilkemeier Jr. was born March 18, 1921 in Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois to Roy D. Sr. and Gladys (Rockey) Tilkemeier. {Note: The correct spelling of the last name of Corporal Roy D. Tilkemeier, Jr. that was used for this article is what was used on his gravestone and that of his father and mother.}

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the “Tilkiemier” family lived in Jefferson Township in Green County, Wisconsin. The household included father Roy Sr., mother Gladis (sic: Gladys) and children Marguerite, Hilda, Pauline, Roy Jr., and Lorraine. They owned their farm and father Roy was a farmer.

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the “Hilkemeier” family lived in the same house as they did in 1935. The household included father Roy, mother Gladys, and children Roy Jr. and Lorraine. Father Roy did farm work on his own account and son Roy Jr. was a farm laborer for paid wages.

On July 8, 1940, Roy D. “Tielkemeier” enlisted for service in Chicago, Illinois prior to the U.S. entry in WWII. He was single without dependents. He had four years of high school and his civilian occupation was “farm hands, general farms.” He enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

On June 22, 1941 Roy D. “Tielkemier” died from accidental drowning in Galveston, Texas per his death certificate. His birth date was given as March 18, 1921 in Freeport, Illinois. He was a Corporal in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ellington Field.

From the June 25, 1941 The Capital Times article titled “Monroe Youth, Member of Air Corps, Drowns: Roy Tilkemier (sic) Loses Life Swimming in Galveston Bay,” the article stated “Roy D. Tilkemier, Jr., 20-year-old former Monroe youth, drowned Sunday at Galveston, Texas, according to word received by his parents in Jefferson township.

Tilkemier left here last July to enlist in the United States air corps. He was studying to be a ground mechanic and occasionally went from Reid Ellington field at Galveston, where he was stationed, to Galveston bay to swim. It is understood he was drowned while swimming there. A lengthy search was necessary before the body was located.

Young Tilkemier was born in Dakota, Ill., March 20, 1921, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Tilkemier, Sr. He graduated from the Monroe high school in 1939 and was formerly a member of the Monroe national guard company.

He is survived by his parents, living in Jefferson township, Green county, four sisters, Mrs. John Schoonhoven, La Grange, Ill., Mrs. Roy Morris, Freeport, Hilda, Highland Park, Ill., and Lorraine, at home; three grandparents, Mrs. Ann Tilkemier, Freeport, and Mrs. Elmer Rockey, Dakota, Ill...”

From the June 26, 1941 Freeport Journal-Standard (Freeport, Illinois) funeral notice for “Roy David Tilkemier” the notice from Monroe said “Funeral services for Roy David Tilkemier (sic), aged 20, Twin Grove, mechanic in the U. S. army air corps at Reid Ellington field, Houston, Texas, who drowned Sunday in Galveston bay will be conducted …in the Shriner-Neuschwader funeral home by Rev. F. J. Kissinger, Orangeville, pastor of the Fairfield Evangelical church, of which Roy was a member. Burial will be in the Dakota, Ill., cemetery. 

Members of the family said that Roy, with other boys stationed at Houston, often spent furloughs at Galveston…”

Corporal Tilkemeier is listed on the Green County, Wisconsin WWII Honor Roll list with the National Archives as AV C “Er Roy D. Tielkem.” AV C is an Aviation Cadet, but from obituaries and on his veteran’s gravestone application he was listed as a Corporal and a mechanic. His death status was DNB.

On the National WWII Memorial Registry, he is listed as Roy D. Tielkem.

Corporal Tilkemeier was buried in the Dakota Cemetery, Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois. 

Thank you, Corporal Roy D. Tilkemeier, Jr., for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.