Irwin Harder was born on July 13, 1920 in Canada. He served as on a B-26G (43-34393) on October 12, 1944 as the Bombardier. On that day his unit, the 37th Bomber Squadron of the 17th Bomber Group flying from Corsica participated on a bombing attacked of a bridge south of Bologna, Italy. The plane was piloted by 2LT Thomas Hughes. On the return trip, the airplane crashed for unknown reasons, but possibly due to Anti-Aircraft fire. The entire crew perished in the crash (Missing Aircraft Report {MACR} 9061). A plaque was placed by the son of one of the crew with the help of the Italian community of Roccalbenga (Tuscany) in the neighborhood of Usi to remember their sacrifice of the crew. He is buried together with his fellow crewmate S/Sgt. Eugene E. Glanert.