Alkire was born in Fay, Nevada in 1903 to Chester and Henrietta Alkire. He had a younger sister, Helen, and younger brother, Ross. Alkire graduated from high School in Salt Lake City, Utah and spent two years studying at the University of Utah before joining the US Army.
Air Force Career
Alkire was appointed flying cadet at Brooks Field, Texas in 1924. After graduating from flight school, he was assigned to the 6th Pursuit Squadron at Wheeler Field Hawaii. In 1930, he became a flight instructor at March Field in California and then a flight instructor at Randolph Field in Texas. While stationed at Randolph, Alkire had a forced landing/accident in a Douglas BT-2C in Yorktown, TX on April 11, 1932. During World War II, Alkire took over command of the 2d Bombardment Group in January 1942, and became the first commander of the 100th Bombardment Group in November of 1942. In November 1943, Alkire became the Commander of the 449th Bombardment Group. On December 18, 1943, Alkire piloted the Maui Maid to Grottaglie Airfield, making it the first 449th Bombardment Group B-24 to land in Italy. The Maui Maid was scrapped for parts after it struck an embankment on January 30, 1944.
Prisoner of War
Returning from his 19th B-24 Liberator mission on January 31, 1944, the Lurchin Urchin was shot down and crashed near Cervia, Italy. He was captured by the Germansand sent to Dulag Luftprisoner of war camp, then marched to Stalag Luft III. When the West Compound at Stalag Luft III opened on April 27, 1944, Alkire was made the senior officer in command until liberation in April 1945. Both a book and a movie were made about the Great Escape by prisoners in the North Compound of Stalag Luft III during Alkire's internment. The USAAF filmed the Lurchin Urchin B-24 Liberator on the mission in which Colonel Alkire was shot down. On February 14, 1944 the B-24's in the 449th had a large "Bar A" painted on their tail in his honor.
In 1927, Alkire married Ruth McKee in Honolulu and had one child with her, Michael Alkire. They divorced in 1928. In 1930, Alkire married Maui born Alma Tate Robinson, who was mother to Barbara. They had two daughters together, Darryl Ann and Jacqueline. Alkire's B-24 Maui Maid was named in honor of Alma. Michael followed in his father's footsteps and became a pilot in the USAF, but lost his life in a plane crash at the age of 22. Michael is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Later Years
Alkire retired from the Air Force in 1956 and moved back to Salt Lake City. In 1958, Alkire appeared on a Salt Lake City television interview series regarding the Cold War, titled "What Security in the Rocket Age?" Alkire died on July 22, 1977 and is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in Honolulu, HI.
