Briefing Document: Harry Otto Green - Life and Military Service

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Analysis of the life and military service of Harry Otto Green, as detailed in the provided text.

Introduction:

This document provides a summary and analysis of the provided biographical information about Harry Otto Green, focusing on his life, family background, and ultimately, his military service and tragic death during World War II.

Key Themes and Information:

Early Life and Family:

Birth and Parents: Harry Otto Green was born on January 29, 1920, in Zephyr, Brown County, Texas. He was the son of Beulah Virginia Snow (born 1891, died 1958) and Robert Nathaniel Green (born 1889, died 1964). Both parents were from Brown County, Texas.

Family Composition: The census records indicate Harry lived with his parents and multiple brothers, later including a sister-in-law, reflecting a large family. He was 10 in the 1930 census, and the 1940 census shows him living with his family in Zephyr.

Residency: Harry Green lived in Brown County, Texas, consistently from his birth through 1940, as evidenced by census data. The source specifically notes: "1935 living at the same place as in the 1940 census."

Education and Civilian Life:

Teacher: Prior to military service, Harry Green worked as a teacher. This indicates a level of education attainment and a professional role in his community.

Higher Education: The text specifies that Green had "four years of college education." This detail provides valuable context to his background, suggesting intellectual rigor and preparation for a professional career before the war.

Military Service:

Enlistment: Green enlisted in the US Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet on January 4, 1942, at Dallas, Texas. This suggests he likely volunteered, given the timing of enlistment following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The text states "enlisted from civilian life".

ASN (Army Service Number): His Army Service Number is provided as "asn-18065424".

Rank and Unit: Green held the rank of First Lieutenant (1Lt) and his officer identification number was "O-662777". He served in the 401st Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group, part of the 8th Air Force. This places him within a major combat unit engaged in the strategic bombing campaign over Europe.

Combat Mission: Green was the co-pilot aboard a Boeing B-17F-10-BO Fortress, nicknamed "Kickapoo", with serial number 41-24447.

Base of Operations: His unit was based out of Bassingbourn, England, a key airbase in the European Theater of Operations.

Final Mission: On February 26, 1943, "Kickapoo" was flying a bombing mission to Wilhelmshaven, Germany. During the mission, the aircraft was hit by German flak, which caused a fire in engine four, leading to the crash into the North Sea.

Death and Remembrance:

Killed in Action (KIA): The entire ten-member crew of the "Kickapoo," including Lt. Green, were "Killed in Action and Missing" during the crash, an extremely sad circumstance in the war effort.

Memorialization: 1Lt. Green and his crew are remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Coton, Cambridgeshire, England, a common and respectful way of commemorating military personal whose remains were never recovered.

Key Quotes and Source Notes:

"Harry O. Green asn-18065424 a single white male born 1920 in Texas and residing in Brown County, Texas working as a teacher with four years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet at Dallas, Texas on 4 January 1942." - This provides key biographical information including his enlistment and occupation.

"First Lieutenant Harry O. Green O-662777 US Army Air Forces 401st Bombardment Squadron 91st Bombardment Group 8th Air Force was the co-pilot on the Boeing B-17F-10-BO Fortress s/n 41-24447 'Kickapoo' out of Bassingbourn, England on 26 February 1943 flying a combat bombing mission to Wilhelmshaven, Germany." - This lays out the circumstances of his final mission.

"The aircraft was hit by German flak which set engine four afire and caused them to crash into the North Sea approximately 80 miles northwest of Wilhelmshaven." - Details the event that lead to his death.

"All ten crewmen Killed in Action and Missing. 1Lt Green and the other crewmen are remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Coton, Cambridgeshire, England." - Emphasizes the tragic loss of life and where he is memorialized.

Conclusion:

This document provides a clear picture of Harry Otto Green's life, education, and ultimately, his sacrifice during World War II. The source material highlights his transition from a teacher in rural Texas to a combat airman in the European theater. The document provides key data related to his ASN number, his unit assignment, and the details surrounding his death. This material offers a concise, yet detailed, summary of this individual's experiences during a critical time in history. This information can be used for further research or memorialization of his life and service.