Howard ("Bus") Byrne, son of Nathaniel and Emmaline (Fifield) Byrne, was born October 2, 1915 in Laclede, Missouri.
Howard served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 615th Squadron, during World War II. He was co-pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boots" when it was struck by enemy fire on 29 January 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 10 crewmen, he was among 5 survivors taken Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft, then later returned to the United States. Unfortunately, the other 5 crewmen perished. Little Boots crew.
Lt. Byrne was awarded an Air Medal for aerial achievements in World War II and continued his career in the USAF in the 1950s.
Howard served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 615th Squadron, during World War II. He was co-pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boots" when it was struck by enemy fire on 29 January 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 10 crewmen, he was among 5 survivors taken Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft, then later returned to the United States. Unfortunately, the other 5 crewmen perished. Little Boots crew.
Lt. Byrne was awarded an Air Medal for aerial achievements in World War II and continued his career in the USAF in the 1950s.
Howard ("Bus") Byrne, son of Nathaniel and Emmaline (Fifield) Byrne, was born October 2, 1915 in Laclede, Missouri.
Howard served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 615th Squadron, during World War II. He was co-pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boots" when it was struck by enemy fire on 29 January 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 10 crewmen, he was among 5 survivors taken Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft, then later returned to the United States. Unfortunately, the other 5 crewmen perished. Little Boots crew.
Lt. Byrne was awarded an Air Medal for aerial achievements in World War II and continued his career in the USAF in the 1950s.
Howard served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 615th Squadron, during World War II. He was co-pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boots" when it was struck by enemy fire on 29 January 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 10 crewmen, he was among 5 survivors taken Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft, then later returned to the United States. Unfortunately, the other 5 crewmen perished. Little Boots crew.
Lt. Byrne was awarded an Air Medal for aerial achievements in World War II and continued his career in the USAF in the 1950s.
Inscription
2ND LT U.S. AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II
