Trimble, Keith (1915-1991)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9855#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Keith Trimble was born in Agenda, Kansas on February 19, 1915. He joined the National Guard at the age of 15 by lying on the form. He went overseas to France in 1943. He died on June 22, 1991 and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: In an oral history interview, Keith Trimble discussed his experience during World War II in the National Guard. He first enlisted with the Guard at age 15 by lying on his form. Trimble went overseas in February 1943 and worked with Headquarters Company in France during World War II as counter intelligence. Trimble was shot during combat and was put into a Prisoner of War (POW) hospital. After American forces bombed the hospital, Trimble and other patients made an escape towards the woods nearby. There, they found some of their German captors and roles switched, as Trimble and his allies took the Germans prisoner. Trimble was also involved in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a bronze star for running communications through combat zones. Trimble also discussed throughout the interview his displeasure for World War II and the United States’ involvement. Trimble concluded the interview with his personal comments on distrust with politicians.

Interview by Richard Olson

Includes archival material