Forrest Dana Hartin was born on December 22, 1914. He was married to Frances Pauline Hayes Hartin.

Forrest served in the 423rd Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator on the B-17F #41-24491 'Man O War' during World War II.

On November 9, 1942, at 10h00, his crew took off from Station 111 airfield in Thurleigh, England, to attack the submarine base in St. Nazaire, France. Unfortunately, at around 02:40 pm, their plane was shot down by flak and crashed 1 km southeast of St-Andre-des-Eaux. This incident resulted in six casualties, three prisoners of war, and only one (2Lt Hartin) who evaded German capture. Through the help of the Comete/Pyrenees network, he was able to go back to England.

2Lt Hartin achieved his highest rank in the military as a Lieutenant Colonel. He died on March 24, 1976, at the age of 61, and is now buried in the East Cemetery, Manchester, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net