Page 93 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

Taps
Final Flight
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WILLIAM HOWARD HARSE, 97
March 5, 1923 – February 14, 2019
William Howard Harse passed away on February 14, 2019. Funeral Services were Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Laurel Land Chapel of the Chimes with Interment at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Fort Worth, Texas.
William was born in Hastings, Nebraska to Howard and Gertrude on March 5, 1923.
As a young man he loved hunting pheasant, quail, ducks, and geese. Story goes that he once shot a goose that was bigger than he was at the time.
He attended the University of Nebraska until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He served in the Air Corp and Air Force until he was discharged from the Air Force Reserves in 1968, achieving the rank of LT. Colonel.
During World War Two he flew P47 Thunderbolt fighters and had over 90 combat missions. He flew bombing raids out of Italy into Germany. He earned several Gold Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In total he earned 6 medals.
Tours of duty include service in the Alaska territory during the Korean War, flying P-80 fighter jets.
In the Air Force he became a test pilot flying F-86, F-87, and F-100 jet fighters. He entered test pilot school after the war and half of his first class became our first astronauts in Houston at NASA.
In 1956 he left the Air Force and worked for General Dynamics as a test pilot on the F-103, F106, 880, and 990 aircraft. Later he was the Chief Test Pilot for the F-111 and flew the F-16 in post-test missions. He retired in 1983.
In retirement he continued to enjoy hunting and fishing as well as golf and visiting his children and grandchildren. William is preceded in death by his older sister Janet; and younger brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Bette, of
73 years; children, Gary, Jay, Jim, and Judy; eleven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great- grandchild.
USAAF Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel William Howard Harse flew 90 combat missions in P-47s during WWII earning him the
Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he became a test pilot in F-86, F-87 and F-100 Fighters and Chief Test Pilot with General Dynamics on the F-111 Program.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 93