MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHY for JACK KIMBERLIN, WWII VETERAN
NEVER FORGOTTEN: Proudly Served Our Country and Our Community
Grover Jasper "Jack" Kimberlin, was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia on December 8, 1921 a son of the late Grover Cleveland and Elizabeth Dygert Kimberlin. He was a retired contractor with G.C. Kimberlin and Son. In High School be became interested in the ROTC program. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. As a pilot of a B-17 Aircraft, Jack made 35 successful bombing missions in Europe. Later in the War, he became a flight instructor of B-17 pilots. He was instrumental in construction of many business structures and homes in the Clifton Forge area. He was owner of Kim-Stan Incorporated, owner and operator of Virginia Coal and Supply in Clifton Forge, and was former owner and operator of the Valley Ridge Water System. Jack was a member of the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, the Cowpasture River Preservation Association, Clifton Forge Lions Club for over 60 years, Clifton Forge Elks Club for over 50 years and the Clifton Forge Coffee Club. Mr. Kimberlin was an active part of area government. He served on the Clifton Forge City Council for several terms and served on the Water and Sewer Commission. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4299 of Clifton Forge. He enjoyed his farm on the Cowpasture River at Sharon. He was a friend to the Alleghany Highlands in political, economic, developmental and social aspects. Jack passed away on July 28, 2012.
I talked with Jack on a regular basis and regret missing the opportunity to discuss these experiences with him. We were very fortunate to still have Jack with us after completing his 35 missions. The B-17 heavy bomber was known as the “Flying Fortress” and was instrumental in helping to destroy the German war machine in Europe. Before the extended fighter support range of the P51 Mustang (like those that Bill Overstreet , another Clifton Forge native, flew), many of the B-17’s and crew were shot down and did not make it back to their bases in England.
Jack’s uncle, Willie Dygert from Iron Gate-VA, paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life in World War I, September of 1918.
Much of the above information was copied from various sources. Created 5-21-17 DHS