World War II Honoree

Bernard Harding

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Milford, New Hampshire

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE WAS A 25 YEAR OLD 1ST LIEUTENANT ON A MISSION TO BOMB BERNBURGH, GERMANY WHEN HIS B-24 BOMBER WAS SHOT DOWN ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR BASE IN ENGLAND. ENEMY FIGHTERS CRIPPLED HIS PLANE FORCING HIM AND HIS CREW TO BAIL OUT. HE PARACHUTED INTO A FRESHLY CUT WHEAT FIELD BARELY MISSING A BARBED WIRE FENCE. THREE FARMERS TWO WITH PITCHFORKS AND ONE WITH A GUN CAPTURED HIM AND TOOK HIM INTO A CELLAR SOUTHWEST OF BERLIN. FEARING REPRISALS FOR BEING A BOMBER PILOT, HE BURIED HIS WINGS IN THE CELLAR FLOOR.