Harold Adrian “Ad” Brassfield was born on June 1, 1923 in Gatliff, Whitley County, Kentucky. He was the son of Herbert Brassfield and Louise Woodall Brassfield. He served in the 562nd Bomber Squadron, 388th Bomber Group, Heavy as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of an aircraft during World War II. SSGT Brassfield was Killed in Action on 6 March 1944. He and his crew were returning from the first full scale U.S. air raid on Berlin when they were attacked by German fighters over the German/Dutch border. SSGT Brassfield shot down one of the attacking fighters, but was wounded immediately afterwards.

During the attack his B-17G #42-37886 "Blitzing Betsy" had been severely damaged, set afire and collided with another B-17. SSGT Donald Taylor one of the waist gunners had gone back to the tail to try to help SSGT Brassfield. The aircraft entered a spin and then blew up. Brassfield and Taylor along with SSGT Raymond Hess and SSGT Robert Taylor were all Killed In Action.

Harold is now buried in the Highland Cemetery, Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky, USA. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com