Coenen, Clayton J., 1916-

Coenen (1916-2009) was born in DePere, Wisconsin and grew up in Menasha, graduating high school in 1937.

He played football for the University of Wisconsin for two years before joining the Air Force in 1942. Coenen served as a bombardier instructor in Childress (Texas) until 1943 when he was deployed to Lavenham (England). Coenen was the lead bombardier on twenty-four combat missions over Germany and central Europe and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Berlin, and the bombing of Dresden. In October 1945, he was discharged with a rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in geology and went to work for Fitzpatrick Lumber Company first in Madison (Wisconsin) and later in Iowa. Coenen eventually settled in Appleton (Wisconsin). He was a member of the American Legion for over fifty years and earned the European War Medal, the Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

From the description of Oral history interview with Clayton "Clyde" J. Coenen, [sound recording], 2000. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 613415484