James “Jim” Kloehn // US Army // E-4

Jim was drafted and off to the Army in 1971, serving through 1973. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he became part of Co. A, 1-66 Armored (General Patton’s Original Battalion!) at Fort Hood, Texas. He worked as the BC’s driver and was very proud to have also helped some of the guys out in emergencies that the company commanders couldn’t.

After his discharge, he spent 43 years working at the BAE research and development defense contractor in the Twin Cities. After retiring, he has been working on the family farm with his 
twin brother, John.

He is a member of the American Legion in Alexandria.

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John Kloehn // US Army // E-4

John was drafted by the Army and served from August 1967 through December 1968. He completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then was assigned to the 25th Infantry Div., 4/9. He was an infantryman and saw most of his time in Germany (three months) and Vietnam (seven months). In May 1968, his unit was on a reconnaissance mission near the Cambodian border when they were ambushed. John was the only one to survive and sustained multiple injuries. He was given a Purple
Heart from Gen. James Woolnough.

After my time in the Army, he moved back to Minnesota and worked on his family’s farm. He has yet to retire and loves working outside.

John is a a 55+ year member of American Legion Post 87 and VVA Chapter 235 in Alexandria.