Harry Coss Bate Jr. was born in 1922. He was the son of Harry Clewell Bate and Martha E. Coss Bate. He served in the 577th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-24H #42-7546, nicknamed "Alfred II" during World War II.

On April 29, 1944, Alfred II departed RAF Wendling on a daylight bombing mission to Germany. Before reaching the target, the bomber was heavily damaged by German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, losing its hydraulic system, suffering severe engine and control damage, and sustaining multiple fuel tank hits. Pilot 2Lt John W. Reed IV jettisoned the bomb load and successfully flew the crippled aircraft back to the Norfolk coast. Near Walcott, he ordered his nine crewmembers to bail out, all of whom escaped safely. 2Lt Bate survived the crash and returned to active duty.

Following the loss of B-24H Alfred II on April 29, 1944, 2lt Bate continued flying combat missions with the 579th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force, serving as a co-pilot. On September 9, 1944, he flew aboard a B-24 Liberator during a mission against Mainz, Germany, under the command of Major Charles C. Holloman and pilot Captain Frank Gonseth Jr. Several months later, on February 11, 1945, Bate again served as co-pilot on a B-24 Liberator during a bombing mission against Dülmen, Germany. The aircraft was commanded by Captain James A. McGregor and piloted by Captain Robert B. Grettum, who was killed in action during the mission. Bate survived the loss of the aircraft and continued his military service, becoming the only surviving member of the original Alfred II crew to outlive the Second World War. 2Lt Bate ended his military service as a First Lieutenant and died in 1958. He is now buried in the Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.geograph.org.uk