Elmer Riekeman grew up around Hope, KS. After finishing school, he taught school at the Eureka School near Navarre, KS. Riekeman was inducted into the service in the spring of 1942. At the time he was a post master in Albuquerque. Riekeman received basic training in New Mexico and entered into the Air Corps. After receiving his wings, he was sent to Atlantic City, meeting up with his cousin, Walter Buenning. In Atlantic City he had training for the signal corps. Riekeman then headed to England where be soon was made a glider pilot. His brother Alvin also was in England as a glider pilot and the two were able to meet often.