Lionel W. Havlas was born on March 25, 1922, in Plainville, Rooks County, Kansas. He was the husband of Vera M. Bollig Havlas. He enlisted in the service on November 14, 1942. He served in the 751st Bomber Squadron, 457th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 (42-97465) known as ''Scarlet Harlot'' during World War II.
On April 9, 1944, "Scarlet Harlot" took part in a large-scale bombing operation over the Baltic coast, targeting German factories involved in Focke-Wulf aircraft production near Gdynia (then Gotenhafen). During the mission, "Scarlet Harlot" was hit by intense German anti-aircraft fire and eventually went down near Osiek Lęborski, Poland. While the pilot did not survive the crash, most of the crew managed to parachute out, though they were soon captured and taken as prisoners of war. Tragically, two crew members who bailed out were later found deceased due to injuries sustained during their descent.
TSgt Havlas was captured by German forces, became a Prisoner of War, and was held in Stalag 17B, Krems an der Donau, Austria. He was liberated at the end of the war. TSgt Havals died on November 23, 1989, and is now buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Plainville, Rooks County, Kansas, USA.
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