Harry Mazer was born on May 31, 1925, in New York County, New York. He was married to Norma Fox Mazer. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science. He enlisted in the service on March 30, 1943. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 #42-97266 nicknamed ''Godfather's Inc'' during World War II.

On April 25, 1945, Godfathers Inc. embarked on its 36th combat mission, targeting the Škoda Armament Works in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia—a significant producer of weapons for the German military. During the bombing run, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire (flak), resulting in the failure of engine number two. The damage forced the crew to abandon the aircraft, which ultimately crashed near Litice, close to Pilsen. Two of the eight crew members survived by parachuting out, while the remaining were Killed in Action.

SSgt Mazer bailed out and was taken prisoner of war in Germany. After the war, he studied at Union College under the GI Bill and earned a master’s degree in education from Syracuse University. After working various jobs, including welder, railroad laborer, and teacher, he became a successful author of young adult fiction, writing award-winning books such as The Last Mission, Snowbound, The Island Keeper, and the Boy at War series. He received numerous honors throughout his literary career, including multiple “Best Books” selections from the American Library Association, the Knickerbocker Award from the New York Library Association (2001), and the ALAN Award for Outstanding Contributions to Young Adult Literature (2003). After a stroke in 2007 and Norma’s death in 2009, Harry continued living actively with family and caregiver support, spending his final years at Woodridge Nursing Home, where he died at age 90 on April 7, 2016.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.398th.org, www.americanairmuseum.com, en.wikipedia.org