Harry Clarence Horst, Jr. was born on January 10, 1915, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Harry C. Horst and Mary C. E. Horst. He was the husband of Doris Steffler Fahey.

Harry Clarence, Jr. went into service on September 5, 1942. He served in the 612th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner on the B-17 "Man O’War" #42-38033 during World War II. On March 20, 1944, his crew took off from Station 128 in Deenethorpe, England, on a bombing mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Shot down by flak, four crew members (including SSgt Horst) died as a result of this incident while the others were able to survive. Their airplane crashed between Courlandon and Breuil, France. SSgt Horst is now buried in the Epinal American Cemetery, Dinozé, France.

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