Harold Dwight Brocious was born on July 16, 1925, in Dayton, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Robert Milo Brocious and Elva Clare Himes Brocious. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in September 1943 and trained at multiple U.S. bases before being sent overseas in December 1944. He served in the 826th Bomber Squadron, 484th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Corporal and Nose Turret Gunner of B-24J #42-51967 nicknamed ''Strange Cargo'' during World War II.

On March 4, 1945, the B-24 Strange Cargo was hit by flak during a bombing mission over Graz, Austria, tearing off its nose turret and sending it into a spin. Two crew members died in the aircraft, while others bailed out. Of those who parachuted to safety, two were taken as POWs, but four were murdered after capture. When local police refused an SS order to execute the Americans, a German soldier killed four of them.

Cpl Brocious was captured and shot by a German soldier after parachuting safely to the ground. He is now buried in the Copenhaver Crossroads Cemetery, Mc Gregor, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information:paulmcguire1.com, aircrewremembered.com, www.findagrave.com