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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Czech historian interviews Iowa World War II veterans to research, preserve their historical experiences
“They’re like a book of experience. You can learn so much.”
Jul. 13, 2024 5:00 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — Ever since Jiri Kluc met a World War II veteran for the first time at age 15, he has been captivated.
Twelve years later, the interest has only gotten stronger as those from The Greatest Generation grow few and far between.
“At that time, I didn’t realize that I should preserve their stories,” said Kluc, now 27, “because my country still had a few.”
But during the pandemic, as the few remaining World War II veterans died at an even faster rate in the Czech Republic, the historian and Ph.D. student at Charles University in Prague took note of the urgency in collecting more of their stories.
At first, the history undergrad and graduate student wrote books about battles. Today, he specializes in World War II and 20th century history.
He realized the value of stories from those who don’t have combat experience, which represent a significant portion of veterans. Combat stories were only half the battle in documenting the lived experience of history.
“I realized there are much more human stories. Everyone has, in some way, an interesting story,” Kluc said.
With more research, he had another realization: “We know about the veterans in Czechia, but we don’t know about the Czech veterans abroad.” That realization took him to research and write in England, Israel, and now, Iowa.
What brought him here?
Kluc readily admits he had no idea where Iowa was two years ago. The story of Mike Bisek, the last living member of a U.S. Army Air Force crew who survived a harrowing 37 days after crashing in Nazi-occupied France, put Cedar Rapids on the map.
The historian started his trip in late June and early July with Bisek, recording a five-hour interview that will be a big chapter in his research and eventual dissertation.
“He is a big deal, I had to capture his story,” Kluc said. “He wished he could have spent more time with me, and hoped that we can meet each other again. If not here, in heaven.”
Thanks to funding from the Czech Heritage Foundation to pay for his travel, Kluc was able to document about 25 veterans in Eastern and central Iowa. Some were Czech-American, and many others had Czech connections.
What did he learn?
Most surviving veterans from that era are in their late 90s or older. But, despite ample time, their stories have never been documented.
That alone has energized the young historian to further his studies of a population disappearing quickly.
“What shocked me most was that most of them had never told their story before. Never,” Kluc said. “If I don’t do it, who will do it?”
He asks interviewees to tell stories not just about combat experience, but about daily life, their heritage, their connections to Iowa and Cedar Rapids, and the Czech traditions they keep today. For those who aren’t Czech, he documents a heritage that mostly cuts across Europe — a point Kluc found fascinating.
“They’re like a book of experience,” he said. “You can learn so much from them.”
Czech-Americans played a role in some of the most pivotal events of World War II. A presentation from Kluc showed how the last one to escape the U.S.S. Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a Czech-American who sustained burns on 82 percent of his body. Another Czech-American played a role in the 1944 invasion of Omaha Beach in France.
Many he met were Navy veterans, another surprise that lead Kluc to believe their roles may have been safer than those in other branches. Many Navy veterans told him they volunteered to avoid being drafted into the Army.
But no matter their role, everyone had a job. That alone is worth honoring, Kluc said.
“What’s special to me is if I can shake their hand and thank them for their service. I know he fought for the U.S., but I met a guy who liberated my country,” Kluc said.
After sleeping in fox holes through missions, one soldier found respite crossing the Czechoslovakian border, where a family let him sleep on the floor of their house.
“He said this was so special. He said Czech people were the nicest he met,” Kluc said.
He couldn’t bear to talk about combat stories — only the happiest memories he had getting through the war and celebrating its end, Kluc said.
What can you learn?
Another valuable lesson gleaned from those who have lived long lives is how to achieve longevity — something war puts into perspective.
Their recipe for success is often a positive attitude, a smile, and less stress over the things that don’t matter in life, Kluc heard.
“One couple met in high school here in 1943 and are still together every day,” he said. “They (tell each other) that they love each other every day.”
Preservation of the good, the bad, the highlights and even glimpses of the mundane are valuable in documenting history — not just for historians, but for the posterity that relies on its record.
“The thing is that history repeats itself, in some way. There are still some guys who want to control the world,” Kluc said. “Whether it was in medieval times, 100 years ago, or now, it’s still the same. We can learn from the past and preserve the future.”
What will he do with their stories?
After finishing his dissertation, Kluc plans to write a book and publish the recorded interviews on YouTube. He hopes to distribute information to schools for education and perhaps museum exhibitions.
His dissertation hopes to better articulate the role of Czechs and Czech-Americans in the fight for freedom during World War II. He also hopes to use social media to make history a more popular topic for the next generation.
His 10-day trip to the Hawkeye State only scratched the surface of veterans whose stories are still yet to be heard.
“I hope to be back,” Kluc said.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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