Palvin M. Lukken was born on March 27, 1921 in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. He was the son of Ole I. Lukken and Anna Mary Pederson Lukken.

Sgt. Lukken was inducted into the service in August 1942 and received his training at various air fields before going to England in June 1943. Before going into the service he was employed on farms in the Starbuck, MN area and also by Farmers Union Oil Co. He served in the 560th Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and waist gunner of #42-3555 "Tiger Girl" aircraft during World War II. Sgt. Lukken was on his 20th bombing mission over German territory when the plane was hit, having completed 19 previous missions. He was Killed in Action on November 26, 1943 at the age of 22 and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov