Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

COMBAT STORIES FROM World War II

John Hardin | 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group - Army Air Corps

5:27   |   John Hardin continues with several more details from his World War II missions, and gives an explanation on how they used seat pack parachutes to ensure safe landings. Another incident he had involved a visit from the king and queen of England. He was so dedicated to being in the Army Air Corps that even when his missions concluded he decided to stay in the service. (This interview made possible with the support of VAN RUSH.)

More From John Hardin

Keywords   :     John Hardin    World War II    air combat    seat pack parachute    England    king    queen    B-51    B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber    Schweinfurt    Germany    casualties    Camp Myles Standish    Mississippi    Airforce    Gulfport MS

Videos ( 3 )
WWII
  • John Hardin  |  WWII  |  322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group  |  4:53

    Having attended Mississippi State College (now University) prior to joining the Army Air Corps, John Hardin already gained experience flying planes. He knew from a very young age that he wanted to fly, and so he joined the Air Corps even before the start of WWII. He vividly remembers how devastating it was to hear about the Pearl Harbor attack, and how quickly things shifted as the US prepared to join the fight. (This interview made possible with the support of VAN RUSH.)

  • John Hardin  |  WWII  |  322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group  |  7:00

    Following the beginning of American involvement in World War II, Hardin flew out to Europe with his squadron and landed in Prestwick, Scotland. From there he was told to carry out fighter missions over France and Germany, fighting directly against the Germans who would often fire straight on at him and then dip down out of sight. During one of his missions, Hardin had a deadly close call when a German bullet hit right off his plane's wing tip. (This interview made possible with the support of VAN RUSH.)

  • John Hardin  |  WWII  |  322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group  |  2:39

    Hardin tells of how he fired at enemy planes during combat, and an interesting story involving a cocker spaniel while he was co-piloting a Douglas DC-3 Airliner. He also briefly recalls the process for buying food while he was in the service and what he ate while at war. Finally, he reflects on his time in the service as a whole and how it felt to revisit Bassingbourn in England all those years later. (This interview made possible with the support of VAN RUSH.)

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