CAPT US Navy
World War II, Korea
CAPT Kleiss graduated from the Naval Academy, hoping to become an Olympic wrestler before the war broke out.
He lived for nearly 20 years at the former Air Force Village retirement community, now known as Blue Skies of Texas. He was remembered in a Catholic Mass at the retirement village about six weeks after turning 100 years old.
His daughter described him as a "cuddly Teddy Bear" who spoke with intelligence but expressed joy through his "crazy dancing" at Blue Skies. "He always had a smile" he'd say, "How are you doing today?"
He is thought to be the last surviving dive bomber in the pivotal Battle of Midway of World War II. His most celebrated actions in the famous battle came less that six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On June 4, 1942 he dropped bombs on the Japanese carriers Kaga and Hiryu, dropping a 500 pound bomb at 1500 feet, two 100 pound incendiaries at 1000 feet rather than the standard altitude of 2500 feet to ensure he hit the critical targets. Barely pulling out of the dive, he saw the entire ship in flames 100 feet high.
He was awarded the Navy Cross for actions at Midway that helped cripple the Japanese fleet.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, who died in 2006.
He is survived by two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
World War II, Korea
CAPT Kleiss graduated from the Naval Academy, hoping to become an Olympic wrestler before the war broke out.
He lived for nearly 20 years at the former Air Force Village retirement community, now known as Blue Skies of Texas. He was remembered in a Catholic Mass at the retirement village about six weeks after turning 100 years old.
His daughter described him as a "cuddly Teddy Bear" who spoke with intelligence but expressed joy through his "crazy dancing" at Blue Skies. "He always had a smile" he'd say, "How are you doing today?"
He is thought to be the last surviving dive bomber in the pivotal Battle of Midway of World War II. His most celebrated actions in the famous battle came less that six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On June 4, 1942 he dropped bombs on the Japanese carriers Kaga and Hiryu, dropping a 500 pound bomb at 1500 feet, two 100 pound incendiaries at 1000 feet rather than the standard altitude of 2500 feet to ensure he hit the critical targets. Barely pulling out of the dive, he saw the entire ship in flames 100 feet high.
He was awarded the Navy Cross for actions at Midway that helped cripple the Japanese fleet.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, who died in 2006.
He is survived by two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
CAPT US Navy
World War II, Korea
CAPT Kleiss graduated from the Naval Academy, hoping to become an Olympic wrestler before the war broke out.
He lived for nearly 20 years at the former Air Force Village retirement community, now known as Blue Skies of Texas. He was remembered in a Catholic Mass at the retirement village about six weeks after turning 100 years old.
His daughter described him as a "cuddly Teddy Bear" who spoke with intelligence but expressed joy through his "crazy dancing" at Blue Skies. "He always had a smile" he'd say, "How are you doing today?"
He is thought to be the last surviving dive bomber in the pivotal Battle of Midway of World War II. His most celebrated actions in the famous battle came less that six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On June 4, 1942 he dropped bombs on the Japanese carriers Kaga and Hiryu, dropping a 500 pound bomb at 1500 feet, two 100 pound incendiaries at 1000 feet rather than the standard altitude of 2500 feet to ensure he hit the critical targets. Barely pulling out of the dive, he saw the entire ship in flames 100 feet high.
He was awarded the Navy Cross for actions at Midway that helped cripple the Japanese fleet.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, who died in 2006.
He is survived by two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
World War II, Korea
CAPT Kleiss graduated from the Naval Academy, hoping to become an Olympic wrestler before the war broke out.
He lived for nearly 20 years at the former Air Force Village retirement community, now known as Blue Skies of Texas. He was remembered in a Catholic Mass at the retirement village about six weeks after turning 100 years old.
His daughter described him as a "cuddly Teddy Bear" who spoke with intelligence but expressed joy through his "crazy dancing" at Blue Skies. "He always had a smile" he'd say, "How are you doing today?"
He is thought to be the last surviving dive bomber in the pivotal Battle of Midway of World War II. His most celebrated actions in the famous battle came less that six months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On June 4, 1942 he dropped bombs on the Japanese carriers Kaga and Hiryu, dropping a 500 pound bomb at 1500 feet, two 100 pound incendiaries at 1000 feet rather than the standard altitude of 2500 feet to ensure he hit the critical targets. Barely pulling out of the dive, he saw the entire ship in flames 100 feet high.
He was awarded the Navy Cross for actions at Midway that helped cripple the Japanese fleet.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, who died in 2006.
He is survived by two daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Inscription
NC DFC AM
He Left The
World Better
Than He
Found It
