Claire Julian Allred was born on August 11, 1922, in Marriott, Weber County, Utah. He was the son of Orson Parley Allred and Florence Rosealtha Butler Allred. He was married to Dorothy Jean Williams Allred. In November 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he earned recognition as a top gunner and served as a ball turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. He served in the 780th Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Gunner of B-24 #42-78308 during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the B-24 Liberator 42-78308 took part in a major bombing mission over Austria. As the formation passed through the heavily defended Tyrol region it was met by intense German resistance, including heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter interception. During this violent engagement, one of the largest air battles over Tyrol in the war in which eight B-24s from the same group were lost, the aircraft was critically hit and went down near Biberwier, Austria. It was destroyed, resulting in four crew members killed in action while the remaining crew survived by bailing out and were captured as prisoners of war.

SSgt Allred successfully bailed out, was captured by German forces, and was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft IV in Gross Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. After the war, he pursued further education through night classes and earned an accounting degree from Stevens-Henager College. He was deeply involved in the LDS Church, serving two stake missions and a Church History mission. Over the years, he held various callings, including ward and stake financial clerk, Sunday School presidency, and scouting leader. He also made meaningful contributions to genealogy and temple work.

Claire worked for 35 years with the U.S. Postal Service before retiring, and later spent another 10 years working at McKay-Dee Hospital. He was also a member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. He died on May 9, 2004, and is now buried in the Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, Aviation Safety Network