Daniel Harvey Surprise was born on November 20, 1924, in Ness County, Kansas. He was the son of Walter L. Surprise and Ola M. Delaney Surprise. He was the husband of Betty Jean Bouse Surprise. He served in the 509th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 42-38005 nicknamed ''Stormy Weather'' during World War II.
On May 24, 1944, during a mission targeting Berlin, "Stormy Weather" encountered mechanical issues with its No. 2 engine, causing it to drop out of formation. The crew attempted to return to base but were forced to make an emergency landing near Myrholm, close to Sønderborg on the island of Als in Denmark. The aircraft crash-landed in a field near the farm Skærtoft and a house called Østerholm. All ten crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.
SSgt Surprise was held at Stalag Luft 3 in Zagan, Poland, later being relocated to Nuremberg-Langwasser (Bavaria). After World War II, Daniel also participated in the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, ending his military service as a Chief Master Sergeant. He died on July 14, 2009, and is now buried in the Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas, USA.
Source of information: www.airmen.dk, www.americanairmuseum.com