Harold Gerald “Whitey” Swenson was born on August 2, 1919, in Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York. He was the husband of Ethel Eileen Licata Swenson.

Harold served in the 353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Corporal and Tail Gunner on the B-17 #42-97580 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, his crew took off from Lucera Airfield in Italy on a mission to bomb the Aerodrome in Wollersdorf, Austria. Their bomber was heavily hit by flak (anti-aircraft fire), and the aircraft exploded en route to the bombing site. Of the ten members who parachuted out of the flak-damaged and burning aircraft, 2 were killed, 5 were rescued by partisan forces, 2 were captured and taken as prisoners, and 1 died of wounds. Cpl Swenson was one of those who were rescued.

Harold died on December 27, 1986, at the age of 67, in Spring, Texas. He is now buried in the Houston National Cemetery.