Harwood Max "Homer" Harrel was born on May 1, 1920. He served in the 357th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot on the P-51 Mustang #43-6886 'Myrt/Kay' during World War II.

On June 7, 1944, 2Lt Harrell took off from Sation 122 airfield in Steeple Morden, England, on a mission to Rambouillet and northeast of Eure-et-Loir, France. He was flying in the no. 2 position of the " Blue" section Callsign "Custard 92." At 06:54, 2Lt Harrell had a mechanical failure. His aircraft was damaged by the explosion of an ammunition convoy and crashed in the commune of Prunay-en-Yvelines. 2Lt Harrell landed in a field, and with the aid of the maquis, he was able to survive and return to England. He was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

2Lt Harrell died on June 8, 1971, at the age of 51. He is now buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA.

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