Title: Vernon K. Lykken
Dates: 1945-2016
Collection Number: MSS 10777
Quantity: 1.25 feet
Abstract: Papers include an album and scrapbook containing Lykken’s log, photographs, newspaper clippings, and postcards compiled during his combat tour in the WWII European theatre. Includes aerial photographs of bombing missions over Germany and group photos of him with his flight crew, commanded by Pilot Lieutenant Dulle. A DVD, printed photographs, and a bound scrapbook from a 1986 reunion are also included in the collection.
Provenance: Vernon K. Lykken donated his papers were donated to the State Historical Society on January 4, 2000. The diary and photo album were digitized in June 2013. Lykken added to the collection in October 2016.
Property rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to the collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Transfer: Contrails II : a pictorial history of the 95th Bomb Group (H), 8th United States Army Air Force, Horham, England, 1943-1945 was transferred to the State Archives' Publications in October 2016.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Vernon K. Lykken was born in Grafton (ND) on December 25, 1923 to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lykken. After graduating from Grafton High School in 1942, he attended NDAC in Fargo, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. He also attended Aaker’s Business College, Grand Forks.
Vernon joined the Army Air Corps in October 1943 at Grafton and served as an air gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew 17 combat missions over Germany during World War II and also flew several mercy food missions to the starving Dutch. He received the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, the American Theater Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in September 1945.
He married Carol Yvonne Hultner, East Grand Forks (MN) on February 21, 1948. They resided in Bismarck and had four children: Terry, Randy, Bradley, and Pamela. Carol passed away March 29, 2012. Vernon was employed in heavy equipment sales in the Minot and Bismarck Areas. He was then employed by General Diesel and Equipment Company of Bismarck, and was a vice president and a stockholder.
Sources:
Carol Lykken’s obituary, ca. March 29, 2012
MSS 10873 North Dakota Veterans’ History Project
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Digital only: Diary (photographs 10777-00001 – 10777-00058)
Box 1: Photo album (photographs 10777-00059 – 10777-00216)
Box 2: Prints, bound condensed print of Lykken's diary, DVD of the 1986 crew reunion in Rapid City (S.D.), photographs 10777-00217 – 10777-00224
PHOTOGRAPHS INVENTORY
Box/Folder/Description/Date
10777-00001 B-17 Flying Fortress American Air Force airplane flown by Vernon K. Lykken
10777-00003 Staff Sargent Vernon K. Lykken portrait
10777-00008 “Trigger Lyke”, Vernon K. Lykken in front of B-17. American Army Air Corps 95th Group in front of airplane, identified: Pint, Pappy, Glenn, Dick, Tony, Tex, Rod, Kirk, and Lyke
10777-00011 Bomber airplanes in flight. Bomber airplanes in flight with contrails behind
10777-00020 American Army Air Corps decoration ceremony, Vernon K. Lykken, far right
10777-00027 Upper and Aerial view of Nuremberg, Germany, April 5, 1945
10777-00034 Aerial view of Munich, Germany
10777-00036 Lieutenant Dulle’s American Army Air Corps crew in front of a B-17 bomber, April 19, 1945. Bomber airplanes in flight with contrails behind, taken over the wing of another plane
10777-00039 Aerial view of Burg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, April 10, 1945
10777-00041 Lieutenant Dulle’s American Army Air Corps crew in front of a B-17 bomber, after the air raid on Germany
American bombers flying towards their target
10777-00043 Vernon K. Lykken receiving the Air medal Decoration. Member of the Eight Air Force receiving the Air medal Decoration
10777-00044 Member of the Eight Air Force receiving the Air medal Decoration
10777-00046 Upper and Aerial view of cities, Germany
10777-00047 Aerial view of city, Germany
10777-00051 Aerial view of Bordeaux, France, April 16, 1945
10777-00058 Aerial view of Oranienburg, Germany, March 15 or April 20, 1945
10777-00059 Lieutenant or Staff Sergeant Harold J. Dulle (“Pappy”)
10777-00060 Lloyd B. Thomas (“Pint”)
10777-00061 Vernon K. Lykken (“Trigger Lyke”)
10777-00062 Technical Sergeant Richard A. Sauccin
10777-00063 Ernesto Rodriguez, Vernon K. Lykken’s tail gunner
10777-00064 Technical Sergeant Tony Kettler
10777-00065 Staff Sergeant Hansen(?) Kirkwood
10777-00066 Staff Sergeant Howard Stanley
10777-00067 American flag over hangar
10777-00068 Vernon K. Lykken in flight gear in front of “Goin’ My Way” plane
10777-00069 Vernon K. Lykken in flight gear on top of “Goin’ My Way” plane
10777-00070 Vernon K. Lykken shaking hands at a decoration ceremony
10777-00071 “Goin’ My Way” in flight
10777-00072-00075 Aerial views of unidentified cities in Europe
10777-00076 Military airplane propeller in flight
10777-00077 Military airplane dropping bombs somewhere over Europe
10777-00078-00079 Skies over Europe
10777-00080-00083 Aerial views of unidentified cities in Europe
10777-00084 Airplanes in flight viewed from over a plane wing
10777-00085 Military airplane
10777-00086 Military airplane in flight
10777-00087 “Goin My Way” on tarmac
10777-00088-00095 Military airplanes in flight, Europe
10777-00096 Vernon K. Lykken kneeling atop the cockpit of “Goin My Way”
10777-00097 Vernon K. Lykken standing on the wing of “Goin My Way”
10777-00098-00099 Vernon K. Lykken standing next to “Goin My Way”
10777-00100-00119 Aerial views of Europe
10777-00120 Prisoner behind chain link fence, Europe
10777-00121 Crowded military camp in field, Europe
10777-00122 Young child standing by railroad tracks, Europe
10777-00123 People standing beside a bus full of passengers, Europe
10777-00124-00131 Military airplanes in flight, Europe
10777-00132-00134 Aerial views of aid packages on ground, the Netherlands
10777-00135 Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00136 West Towers’ façade, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00137 Interior of Westminster Abbey Museum, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00138 Choir stalls, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00139 High Altar, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00140 Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00141 Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00142 Shrine of Edward the Confessor (King/St. Edward), Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00143 Plaque of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00144 Cloisters, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00145 Coronation Chair, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00146 Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00147 Marsh Lock, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00148 Swimming pool, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00149 Friar Park, Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00150 The Fair Mile Road into Henley-on-Thames, England
10777-00151 Beach, Southwold, England
10777-00152 Grand Hotel and North Parade, Southwold, England
10777-00153 Church of Saint Andrew, Walberswick, England
10777-00154 Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England
10777-00155 U.S. Eight Air Force group, Vernon K. Lykken back far left
10777-00156 Mount Rushmore, Keystone (S.D.)
10777-00157 American Air Force soldier using a camera
10777-00158 Two unidentified soldiers in a train car and a man standing in front of the car
10777-00159 Upper left: U.S. Eight Air Force group, Vernon K. Lykken back far left
10777-00160 Group of American Air Force soldiers and dog, Vernon K. Lykken, far left
10777-00161 Three American Air Force soldiers, Vernon K. Lykken, center
10777-00162 Group of American soldiers
10777-00163 Group of American Air Force soldiers, Vernon K. Lykken, front, center
10777-00164 Vernon K. Lykken on the shoulders of three unidentified American Air Force soldiers
10777-00165 Vernon K. Lykken, left, and two unidentified American Air Force soldiers, all smoking cigars
10777-00166 Unidentified soldier
10777-00167 Vernon K. Lykken, left and unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00168 Unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00169 Vernon K. Lykken, left and unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00170 Barracks and buildings
10777-00171 Interior of building with posters on the wall
10777-00172 Welcome sign, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00173 Gold Street, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00174 Mission Café, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00175 Central Bar, Deming (NM)
10777-00176 Swamp, August 7, 1945
10777-00177 Florida Mountains, Luna County (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00178 Swamp, August 7, 1945
10777-00179 Flight line on tarmac, American Air Force planes, July 2, 1945
10777-00180 Crashed American Air Force plane, Mexico, February 11, 1945
10777-00181 Crashed American Air Force plane, “The Feather Merchant”, July 4, 1945
10777-00182 Aerial view of American Air Force planes on runway
10777-00183 Crashed American Air Force plane, March 3, 1945
10777-00184 Crashed American Air Force plane, February 5, 1945
10777-00185 Cockpit interior of crashes American Air Force plane, February 11, 1945
10777-00186 American Air Force plane receiving repairs in hangar, May 27, 1945
10777-00187 American Air Force hangar and plane, May 27, 1945
10777-00188 American Air Force soldiers being served a pancake breakfast, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00189 Proposed location for new hangar, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 9, 1945
10777-00190 American Air Force soldier eating supper, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00191 Two cooks and prepared food, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00192 Water cooler and coffee urns, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00193 Icebergs in water, mountains in background
10777-00194 American Air Force soldiers being served dinner, Mess Hall, Deming Airfield, Deming (NM), March 25, 1945
10777-00195 Two unidentified soldiers leaning on an automobile
10777-00196 Crashed American Air Force plane, June 14, 1945
10777-00197 Air Force Barracks, Deming (NM), Florida Mountains in background
10777-00198 American Air Force airplanes in flight lines
10777-00199 American Air Force airplane preparing for flight, Deming (NM)
10777-00200 American Air Force airplanes in flight lines, Deming (NM)
10777-00201 Icebergs in water
10777-00202 Two unidentified American Air Force Soldiers with a small iceberg
10777-00203 American Air Force planes in line on tarmac
10777-00204 Unidentified American Air Force Soldier
10777-00205 Vernon K. Lykken, in front his gunner position on “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00206 Unidentified American Air Force soldier
10777-00207 Pilot Lieutenant H. J. Dulle, Jr., in cockpit of “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00208 American Air Force plane “Goin’ My Way”
10777-00209 Vernon K. Lykken sitting by swimming pool
10777-00210 Vernon K. Lykken and two American Air Force soldiers
10777-00211 Two unidentified American Air Force soldiers
10777-00212 New automobile
10777-00213 People swimming in pool
10777-00214 Group of American Air Force soldiers
10777-00215 U.S. Highway 75 road sign, Iowa
10777-00216 Saint Ann Catholic Church, Deming (NM), August 7, 1945
10777-00217 Aerial view of Deming AAB, New Mexico, July 1945
10777-00218 Postcard of U.S.S. West Point, ca. 1944
10777-00219 Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945
10777-00220 Vernon Lykken and fellow soldiers, ca. 1945
10777-00221 Bomber airplane in flight, ca. 1945
10777-00222 Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945
10777-00223 Bomber airplane in flight, ca. 1945
10777-00224 Lieutenant Dulle's crew, 1945
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions
Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
Social Media:
See all social media accounts
