Harry Elward Edeburn
Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 6 September 1943, Flight Officer Harry Elward Edeburn was serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber in the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, FO Edeburn's unit was in action against German forces during a high altitude bombing mission over Germany. While in a battle against German fighter planes, FO Edeburn was mortally wounded by the explosion of a cannon shell. Despite his mortal wound, FO Edeburn wanted to remain at his post and, when made to lie down, tried many times to return to the co-pilot's position. FO Edeburn's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Flight Officer Harry E. Edeburn (AFSN: T-60794), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 349th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, during a high altitude bombardment mission over Germany on 6 September 1943. During a continued running battle against enemy fighter planes, Flight Officer Edeburn was mortally wounded by the explosion of a cannon shell. Although mortally wounded, Flight Officer Edeburn attempted to remain at his post, and when made to lie down, tried many times to return to the co-pilot's position. Flight Officer Edeburn's courage and devotion to duty in the face of death were an inspiration to his comrades and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.

General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 97 (December 17, 1943)

Burial

Flight Officer Harry Elward Edeburn is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, in Plot C, Row 1, Grave 31.

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