World War II Honoree

Harry H. Gruener

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

West View, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORP SHORTLY AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. BECAME A B-24 PILOT DURING WWII. FLEW 27 MISSIONS OVER ENEMY OCCUPIED TERRITORY AND WAS SHOT DOWN TWICE. ON ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS, HIS PLANE SUFFERED A DIRECT HIT IN THE RIGHT WING. DESPITE LOSING THE BOMB BAY DOORS AND AN ENGINE, HE MANAGED TO LAND THE PLANE SAFELY AND SAVE THE LIVES OF HIS CREW. EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE AIR MEDAL WITH THREE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.