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Manuscripts by Subject - Military - #10777

Title: Vernon K. Lykken

Dates: 1945-2016

Collection Number:  MSS 10777

Quantity: 1.25 feet

Abstract: Papers include an album and scrapbook containing Lykken’s log, photographs, newspaper clippings, and postcards compiled during his combat tour in the WWII European theatre. Includes aerial photographs of bombing missions over Germany and group photos of him with his flight crew, commanded by Pilot Lieutenant Dulle. A DVD, printed photographs, and a bound scrapbook from a 1986 reunion are also included in the collection.

Provenance: Vernon K. Lykken donated his papers were donated to the State Historical Society on January 4, 2000. The diary and photo album were digitized in June 2013. Lykken added to the collection in October 2016.

Property rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to the collection.

Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs.  Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.

Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.

Transfer: Contrails II : a pictorial history of the 95th Bomb Group (H), 8th United States Army Air Force, Horham, England, 1943-1945 was transferred to the State Archives' Publications in October 2016.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Vernon K. Lykken was born in Grafton (ND) on December 25, 1923 to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lykken. After graduating from Grafton High School in 1942, he attended NDAC in Fargo, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. He also attended Aaker’s Business College, Grand Forks.

Vernon joined the Army Air Corps in October 1943 at Grafton and served as an air gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew 17 combat missions over Germany during World War II and also flew several mercy food missions to the starving Dutch. He received the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, the American Theater Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in September 1945.

He married Carol Yvonne Hultner, East Grand Forks (MN) on February 21, 1948. They resided in Bismarck and had four children: Terry, Randy, Bradley, and Pamela. Carol passed away March 29, 2012. Vernon was employed in heavy equipment sales in the Minot and Bismarck Areas. He was then employed by General Diesel and Equipment Company of Bismarck, and was a vice president and a stockholder.

Sources:

Carol Lykken’s obituary, ca. March 29, 2012
MSS 10873 North Dakota Veterans’ History Project

BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY

Digital only: Diary (photographs 10777-00001 – 10777-00058)

Box 1: Photo album (photographs 10777-00059 – 10777-00216)
Box 2: Prints, bound condensed print of Lykken's diary, DVD of the 1986 crew reunion in Rapid City (S.D.), photographs 10777-00217 – 10777-00224

PHOTOGRAPHS INVENTORY

Box/Folder/Description/Date

10777-00001   B-17 Flying Fortress American Air Force airplane flown by Vernon K. Lykken
10777-00003   Staff Sargent Vernon K. Lykken portrait
10777-00008   “Trigger Lyke”, Vernon K. Lykken in front of B-17. American Army Air Corps 95th Group in front of airplane, identified: Pint, Pappy, Glenn, Dick, Tony, Tex, Rod, Kirk, and Lyke
10777-00011   Bomber airplanes in flight. Bomber airplanes in flight with contrails behind
10777-00020   American Army Air Corps decoration ceremony, Vernon K. Lykken, far right
10777-00027   Upper and  Aerial view of Nuremberg, Germany, April 5, 1945
10777-00034   Aerial view of Munich, Germany
10777-00036   Lieutenant Dulle’s American Army Air Corps crew in front of a B-17 bomber, April 19, 1945. Bomber airplanes in flight with contrails behind, taken over the wing of another plane
10777-00039   Aerial view of Burg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, April 10, 1945
10777-00041   Lieutenant Dulle’s American Army Air Corps crew in front of a B-17 bomber, after the air raid on Germany
American bombers flying towards their target
10777-00043   Vernon K. Lykken receiving the Air medal Decoration. Member of the Eight Air Force receiving the Air medal Decoration
10777-00044   Member of the Eight Air Force receiving the Air medal Decoration
10777-00046   Upper and Aerial view of cities, Germany
10777-00047   Aerial view of city, Germany
10777-00051   Aerial view of Bordeaux, France, April 16, 1945
10777-00058   Aerial view of Oranienburg, Germany, March 15 or April 20, 1945
10777-00059   Lieutenant or Staff Sergeant Harold J. Dulle (“Pappy”)
10777-00060   Lloyd B. Thomas (“Pint”)
10777-00061   Vernon K. Lykken (“Trigger Lyke”)
10777-00062   Technical Sergeant Richard A. Sauccin
10777-00063   Ernesto Rodriguez, Vernon K. Lykken’s tail gunner
10777-00064   Technical Sergeant Tony Kettler
10777-00065   Staff Sergeant Hansen(?) Kirkwood
10777-00066   Staff Sergeant Howard Stanley
10777-00067   American flag over hangar
10777-00068   Vernon K. Lykken in flight gear in front of “Goin’ My Way” plane
10777-00069   Vernon K. Lykken in flight gear on top of “Goin’ My Way” plane
10777-00070   Vernon K. Lykken shaking hands at a decoration ceremony
10777-00071   “Goin’ My Way” in flight
10777-00072-00075    Aerial views of unidentified cities in Europe
10777-00076   Military airplane propeller in flight
10777-00077   Military airplane dropping bombs somewhere over Europe
10777-00078-00079 Skies over Europe
10777-00080-00083    Aerial views of unidentified cities in Europe
10777-00084   Airplanes in flight viewed from over a plane wing
10777-00085   Military airplane
10777-00086   Military airplane in flight
10777-00087   “Goin My Way” on tarmac
10777-00088-00095    Military airplanes in flight, Europe
10777-00096   Vernon K. Lykken kneeling atop the cockpit of “Goin My Way”
10777-00097   Vernon K. Lykken standing on the wing of “Goin My Way”
10777-00098-00099 Vernon K. Lykken standing next to “Goin My Way”
10777-00100-00119    Aerial views of Europe
10777-00120   Prisoner behind chain link fence, Europe
10777-00121   Crowded military camp in field, Europe
10777-00122   Young child standing by railroad tracks, Europe
10777-00123   People standing beside a bus full of passengers, Europe
10777-00124-00131 Military airplanes in flight, Europe
10777-00132-00134  Aerial views of aid packages on ground, the Netherlands
10777-00135   Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00136   West Towers’ façade, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00137   Interior of Westminster Abbey Museum, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00138   Choir stalls, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00139   High Altar, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00140   Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00141   Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00142   Shrine of Edward the Confessor (King/St. Edward), Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00143   Plaque of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00144   Cloisters, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00145   Coronation Chair, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00146   Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00147   Marsh Lock, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00148   Swimming pool, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00149   Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00150   The Fair Mile Road into Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00151   Beach, Southwold, England
10777-00152   Grand Hotel and North Parade, Southwold, England
10777-00153   Church of Saint Andrew, Walberswick, England
10777-00154   Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00155   U.S. Eight Air Force group, Vernon K. Lykken back far left
10777-00156   Mount Rushmore, Keystone (S.D.)
10777-00157   American Air Force soldier using a camera
10777-00158   Two unidentified soldiers in a train car and a man standing in front of the car
10777-00159   Upper left: U.S. Eight Air Force group, Vernon K. Lykken back far left
10777-00160   Group of American Air Force soldiers and dog, Vernon K. Lykken, far left
10777-00161   Three American Air Force soldiers, Vernon K. Lykken, center
10777-00162   Group of American soldiers                                    
10777-00163   Group of American Air Force soldiers, Vernon K. Lykken, front, center
10777-00164   Vernon K. Lykken on the shoulders of three unidentified American Air Force soldiers
10777-00165   Vernon K. Lykken, left, and two unidentified American Air Force soldiers, all smoking cigars
10777-00166   Unidentified soldier
10777-00167   Vernon K. Lykken, left and unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00168   Unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00169   Vernon K. Lykken, left and unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00170   Barracks and buildings
10777-00171   Interior of building with posters on the wall
10777-00172   Welcome sign, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00173   Gold Street, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00174   Mission Café, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00175   Central Bar, Deming (NM)
10777-00176   Swamp, August 7, 1945
10777-00177   Florida Mountains, Luna County (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00178   Swamp, August 7, 1945
10777-00179   Flight line on tarmac, American Air Force planes, July 2, 1945
10777-00180   Crashed American Air Force plane, Mexico, February 11, 1945
10777-00181   Crashed American Air Force plane, “The Feather Merchant”, July 4, 1945
10777-00182   Aerial view of American Air Force planes on runway
10777-00183   Crashed American Air Force plane, March 3, 1945
10777-00184   Crashed American Air Force plane, February 5, 1945
10777-00185   Cockpit interior of crashes American Air Force plane, February 11, 1945
10777-00186   American Air Force plane receiving repairs in hangar, May 27, 1945
10777-00187   American Air Force hangar and plane, May 27, 1945
10777-00188   American Air Force soldiers being served a pancake breakfast, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00189   Proposed location for new hangar, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 9, 1945
10777-00190   American Air Force soldier eating supper, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00191   Two cooks and prepared food, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00192   Water cooler and coffee urns, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00193   Icebergs in water, mountains in background
10777-00194   American Air Force soldiers being served dinner, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00195   Two unidentified soldiers leaning on an automobile
10777-00196   Crashed American Air Force plane, June 14, 1945
10777-00197   Air Force Barracks, Deming (NM), Florida Mountains in background
10777-00198   American Air Force airplanes in flight lines
10777-00199   American Air Force airplane preparing for flight, Deming (NM)
10777-00200   American Air Force airplanes in flight lines, Deming (NM)
10777-00201   Icebergs in water
10777-00202   Two unidentified American Air Force Soldiers with a small iceberg
10777-00203   American Air Force planes in line on tarmac
10777-00204   Unidentified American Air Force Soldier
10777-00205   Vernon K. Lykken, in front his gunner position on “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00206   Unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00207   Pilot Lieutenant H. J. Dulle, Jr., in cockpit of “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00208   American Air Force plane “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00209   Vernon K. Lykken sitting by swimming pool
10777-00210   Vernon K. Lykken and two American Air Force soldiers
10777-00211   Two unidentified American Air Force soldiers
10777-00212   New automobile
10777-00213   People swimming in pool
10777-00214   Group of American Air Force soldiers
10777-00215   U.S. Highway 75 road sign, Iowa
10777-00216   Saint Ann Catholic Church, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00217   Aerial view of Deming AAB, New Mexico, July 1945
10777-00218   Postcard of U.S.S. West Point, ca. 1944
10777-00219   Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945
10777-00220   Vernon Lykken and fellow soldiers, ca. 1945
10777-00221   Bomber airplane in flight, ca. 1945
10777-00222   Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945
10777-00223   Bomber airplane in flight, ca. 1945  
10777-00224   Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945

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