Clare R. Harnden was born on June 4, 1921, in Allegan County, Michigan. He was the son of Rich A. Harnden and Gertrude Belle Durand Harnden. He was married to Pearl M. Brisbin Harnden. He served in the 349th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-107137 during World War II.

On July 14, 1944, Bastille Day, the United States Army Air Forces carried out Operation Cadillac, one of the largest Allied aerial resupply missions of World War II, delivering urgently needed weapons, ammunition, and supplies to the French Resistance. Hundreds of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, escorted by fighter aircraft, flew from England to drop thousands of containers over designated Resistance zones, including Moustoulat in Corrèze.

Harnden participated in the mission, and in 1994, he returned to France with fellow members of the 100th Bomb Group at the invitation of the French Resistance to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bastille Day operation that supplied Resistance forces near Tulle. Clare spent 25 years as a field representative with the Gerber Products Company before retiring. His community involvement included membership in the 100th Bomb Group Association, Fremont Lions Club, service as Treasurer and Executive Secretary of the National Junior Horticultural Association, and participation in the Newaygo County Fair Association.

Clare died on September 18, 2004, and is now buried in the Fremont United Methodist Church Memorial Garden, Fremont, Newaygo County, Michigan, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, resistancefrancaise.blogspot.com