HOSCHTON - Harvard Kniffen, 87, died Saturday, December 17, 2011, at Gwinnett Medical Center following an extended illness.

He was born September 19, 1924, the son of Canadian born Earl and Bertha Kniffen. He was a Staff Sergeant in the 8th Air Force during World War II. He enjoyed a 28-year career in retail management with the same company (Kresge's) before starting and running his own successful business (Harvard Hardware) for 12 years until his retirement. Mr. Kniffen was also preceded in death by his sisters, Phyllis Hamilton and Geraldine Richmond.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Bernice Kniffen; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tim Sennitt, Hampshire, England; sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Jacqui Kniffen, Charlotte, N.C., and Dan and Cheryl Kniffen, Braselton; grandson, Matthew Kniffen, Braselton; granddaughter, Michelle Kniffen, Braselton; and sisters, Beverly Fonseth and Barbara Rau, both of Indiana.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 21, from the chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home with interment following in Memorial Park South Cemetery. Pastor Alan Johnson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, at the funeral home. Refreshments will be served at the funeral home following the service.

Upon graduation from high school at the age of eighteen Harvard enlisted in the air force. He trained as a gunner on B24 Bombers in Laredo, Texas before leaving for England where the Richard Greene crew (his crew) converted to B17 Bombers.

When the Richard Greene crew was first assigned to the 493^rd BG on the 28^th December 1944, they were originally placed with the 862^nd BS.  However, in February 1945 the 862^nd BS was released for duties with the 3^rd Scouting force acting as weather ships.  As this was a non bombing role, the new crews recently assigned were transferred to the 863^rd BS,  this included the Richard Greene crew, who were reassigned on the 15^th February 1945.

The following is a partial outline of Harvard's career progression within the USAAF.

1011  44/12  28/12/1944  SO #239  assigned from 70th Repl Depot  assigned 862 BS

1364  45/01  09/01/1945  SO #9  promoted from Cpl to Sgt (Temp)

1789  45/02  15/02/1945  SO #46  transfer from 862 BS to 863 BS

0383  45/03  31/03/1945  SO #30(165)  promoted from Sgt to S/Sgt (Temp)

1247  45/05  07/05/1945  SO #120  TD to AAF Rest Home  AAF Sta #558  9 days

1253  45/05  08/05/1945  SO #121  para 8 SO #120 revoked

Commemorative Patch

Air Medal

Badge mistakenly attributed to 863rd Squadron. It actually belonged to the 13th Anti-submarine Squadron from which the 493rd BG got many of its crews.

Harvard served with the USAAF, 8th Air Force, 493rd Bombardment Group (nicknamed “The Fighting 493rd”)
in Boeing B17 bombers flying out of Debach (pronounced "Deb-idge"), Suffolk, England and saw combat over Germany,
his aircraft being hit multiple times and sustaining serious damage. For service to his country he was awarded
the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

1946

2013

USAAF Station 152, Debach, then and now.

Enlisted men's quarters were in metal Nissen Huts and,
by all reports, were somewhat crowded, damp and cold.



Harvard was a Nose Gunner/Toggler on B17 bombers. His position was in the nose of the aircraft as seen above.
It was his responsibility to operate the nose gun and to release the bombs.

An artists impression of the Navigator and Nose Gunner's positions in a B17 bomber.

An artist's impression of the group's 124th mission (to Nienhagen, Germany).

A computer generated image of a B17G of the 493rd BG (H)

Harvard's regular aircraft "Heinie's Headache", a B17G of the 863^rd Bomb Squadron



Harvard's missions including time with the 862^nd squadron and several other aircraft in which he flew.




(L) S. Sgt. Harvard Clinton Kniffen receiving his Air Medal in 1945

(R) Having returned from a mission to Berlin we see the Greene crew, with Harvard on the right,
observing shell damage to the starboard wing and flap on B17 44-6808, "Kraut Stomper"

Harvard was interviewed regarding his war time experiences and he can
been seen and heard here. These links keep changing but you will be taken
to the correct site where you can search for him by name:

His first bombing mission.

S. Sgt. Harvard Clinton Kniffen, USAAF is remembered.