Harry B. McGuire was born on October 1, 1919. He was the son of Harry L. McGuire and Dorothy Prosek McGuire. He served in the 718th Bomber Squadron, 449th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-24 #41-29217 during World War II.

On January 30, 1944, B-24 Liberator 41-29217 departed its base at Grottaglie, Italy, on a bombing mission against the German-held airfield at Udine in northern Italy. After completing the bombing run, the formation came under heavy attack from German fighters and anti-aircraft fire. The B-24 was severely damaged during the engagement and was observed losing altitude with its right wing burning as enemy fighters continued their attacks. Unable to remain with the formation, the crippled bomber descended toward the northern Adriatic coast and eventually crashed on Morgo Island in the Grado Lagoon, near Grado, Italy. Of the ten airmen aboard, nine were killed, while Staff Sergeant Harvey Gann was the sole survivor and was taken prisoner by German forces.

2Lt McGuire was killed in action, and his remains were initially listed as missing. After more than 70 years, his remains were recovered and identified, and he was officially accounted for in 2015. His name is permanently inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery in Italy. His remains were returned to his family and buried with full military honors on June 3, 2015, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, Missouri.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, www.dpaa.mil, 449th Bombardment Group Historical Association, weremember.abmc.gov