‘I’m one of a kind’: Lincoln WWII veteran reflects on 100 years of life

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Sitting in a rocking chair with yarn at his feet, a World War II veteran is in a different chair than he was used to in his earlier life.

“I’m one of a kind; very few people get to live to 100,” he said Monday at his senior living center in Lincoln.

His rocking chair took the place of a fighter pilot cockpit seat.

Born in Omaha, retired Lt. Col. Neal Clemmer has been looking back on his life but is not slowing down anytime soon.

Clemmer flew 73 missions, adding up to more than 160 hours of combat time in enemy airspace.

“We carried three hours of fuel, internally, so a mission only lasted 2½ hours,” Clemmer said. “You could fly a couple a day. But I once flew three missions a day, and I did visual reconnaissance. The way you spell visual reconnaissance is s-p-y. I flew spy missions.”

Not only that, but during his tour, he helped train members of the Royal Air Force in California while working in missile technology.

That later led to his role in leading a team that put the first weather satellite into orbit.

“The governor appointed me admiral in the Nebraska Navy, which is a high honor,” he said. “Growing up, I remember many famous Nebraskans were made admirals, and I’m very proud to be amongst them.”

Clemmer enjoyed life with his wife, Mary Jane, until she passed in September, three months before their 75th wedding anniversary.

They had four girls and went on to have eight grandchildren.

Now, the family waits for the birth of their 21st great-grandchild soon.

To this day, Clemmer continues to serve his people, but now in the form of knitting.

With an electronic machine, he makes hats for special education students and others in need.

And his one major piece of advice through it all: Stay in school.

“Looking back, get your education,” he said. “Don’t give up. Set your goals and set them high.”

Another one of his many hats: that of an author.

Clemmer released his first book in 2004, and now with a new computer, he is planning to publish another book this spring that fills in more gaps of the many stories he continues to remember.