Hat Tip Stacey Branstator Law and Katelynn Farley
Darwin Berdette “DB” Kline was born on February 22, 1925, in Huntington, to Dewey Schley and Gladys Marguerite Denny. He was one of four children born to the union.
DB, as he was known, joined the Army Engineers in June of 1943. It wasn't long until he was selected to go to the Army Air cadet training where he would become a pilot. He became a flight officer on March 11, 1945, while serving at Moody Field Georgia. On his final assignment he was assigned the troop carrier command where during World War 2 he flew the twin engine C47’s and C46’s.
After World War 2, DB decided to take a leave from the military and enjoy civilian life. However, after a short time he re-entered the Army Air Corps as a Master Sergeant. He was assigned to the 509th bomb group, Strategic Air Command is just one of three enlisted NCOs (non-commissioned officer), to fly the B20 nines as a radar navigator/Bombardier. An NCO is a non-commissioned officer who has achieved their position by promotion through the enlisted ranks.
After serving on the B20 nines, DB joined the Air and Airways Communications Service (AACS) or later known as the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS). He spent 22 years as an air traffic controller for the Alaskan air command in Germany and Spain. While serving as an air traffic controller in Germany and Spain, DB became the chief controller of the Berlin control, American chief controller of the Madrid Spain air route traffic Control Center and even taught radar air traffic control procedures at the University of Madrid while he was serving in the Spanish air ministry. He was also the commander of the Air Force Honor Guard at President John F.
Kennedy's inauguration after being selected by the Department of Defense.
Unfortunately, Darwin passed away on June 19, 2010, in Corpus Christi, TX. He was then buried at Union Cemetery in Huntington County.
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