World War II Honoree

Harland Clarence Abler

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Honored By

Dawn M. Jaeger

Relationship

Granddaughter

ENLISTED JULY 16, 1940 AT CHANUTE FIELD, ILLINOIS IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS. TECHNICAL SERGEANT. ATTACHED TO THE 32ND BOMB SQUADRON, 301ST BOMB SQUADRON (H). HIS MILITARY OCCUPATION WAS AN AIRPLANE AND ENGINE MECHANIC ON THE B-17G AND A RADIO INTERPRETER ON BOMBING MISSIONS. HIS LENGTH OF CONTINENTAL SERVICE WAS 4 YEARS, 1 MONTH AND 12 DAYS; HIS LENGTH OF FOREIGN SERVICE WAS 1 YEAR AND 12 DAYS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1945. HIS BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING: ROME-ARNO, NORTH APENNINES, PO VALLEY, SOUTHERN FRANCE, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND AIR COMBAT BALKANS. HIS MEDALS INCLUDE THE AIR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE STARS AND 1 SILVER STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON WWII AND MARKSMAN BADGE WITH CARBINE BAR.