Harold Max Mercier was born on February 28, 1921, in St. Clair County, Michigan. He was the son of Narcissus John and Estella Mercier. He was married to Almeda J. Mercier. He worked as an inspector before enlisting in the service on July 9, 1942. Trained as a bombardier, Mercier served with the 702nd Squadron of the 445th Bomb Group, which operated B-24 Liberators from Tibenham, Norfolk, England. The group began combat operations in December 1943 with an attack on U-boat facilities at Kiel and later flew numerous strategic missions over Germany, including operations during “Big Week.”

On September 27, 1944, during the bombing mission against Kassel, Germany, B-24H “Eileen” was heavily damaged when German fighters launched intense attacks against the scattered bombers of the 445th Bomb Group. Crippled by severe battle damage, the aircraft lost control and eventually crashed in Germany. As the bomber went down, the crew faced a tragic and varied fate. Some airmen successfully bailed out and survived, but were captured and spent the remainder of the war as prisoners. Others also parachuted from the aircraft but did not survive their descent or the events that followed. Two crew members remained in the aircraft and were killed when it was struck by heavy cannon fire.

2Lt Mercier flew aboard B-24H #42-50324, “Eileen,” and was Killed in Action. He is now buried in the Highland Cemetery, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, U.S. Army Air Forces Missing Air Crew Report, www.fold3.com