Harlin Vance Yates was born on March 18, 1916, in Bowdon, Georgia. He served in the 10th Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, as a Captain and Pilot on the P-47 #42-25908 during World War II.

Cpt yates was killed in a landing accident at Carentan airfield in France on July 31, 1944. At 0925, he took off and was to call the other members of his squadron on the R/T if he felt it was desirable to continue the mission after checking the weather. Capt Yates took off and circled the field and was returning to the ground. On final approach, landing west to east, the aircraft stalled, and its left wing struck the ground. The airplane burst into flames on impact, and he was fatally injured. Cpt Yates is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.

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