WW2 Fallen - B-24 bombardier Harold Spink

Harold Spink was a B-24 bombardier for the 44th Bombardment Group.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74093530
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/guest-bloggers/crew-b-42-liberator-star-valley-downed-behind-enemy-lines.html

Harold Winfred Spink never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Harold was born January 6, 1919 in Lincoln, Nebraska. His parents Henry and Lina were born in Illinois and Iowa, respectively. Harold had three older brothers and one younger brother. His father worked as a mail clerk for a railroad company, and passed away in 1926. Harold married Pauline Heckman in 1939 and had one daughter. I was not able to find the family in the 1940 census records.

Harold enlisted in the US Army Air Forces on December 19, 1941. He trained as a bombardier and was assigned to the 68th Bomber Squadron of the 44th Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force. The 44th BG was the first B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment group to be stationed in England, and sustained the highest loss rate of any B-24 group in the Eighth AAF.

2nd Lt. Spink completed his first bombing mission to Bremen, Germany on December 16, 1943 and took part in another six missions by the end of January 1944. On February 5, 1944 2nd Lt. Spink was aboard B-24 “Star Valley” on his eighth mission, part of a formation of 102 aircraft tasked to bomb a Renault works manufacturing plant near Tours, France. On the return flight, the B-24 was attacked by FW-190 fighters, which shot off part of a wing, sending the aircraft into an uncontrollable spin. One crew member managed to bail out and became a prisoner or war. Lt. Spink was either killed in the fighter attack or was unable to bail out and was killed when the aircraft crashed near St.-Léonard-en-Beauce, France.

Harold Winfred Spink was initially buried in Blois, France and was later reinterred in Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. The citizens of the town of St.-Léonard-en-Beauce honor the crew of the “Star Valley” with an annual ceremony and parade, and in 2014 unveiled a marble monument to the crew. I was not able to find any information about Harold’s wife and daughter, but found a touching article written by his granddaughter here.

Thank you Harold for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Harold.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."

Last year on this date I profiled Battle of the Bulge fallen Thomas Littlejohn of the 6th Armored Division. You can read about Thomas here.

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