Former POW celebrates 100th birthday!

On December 13, 2023, at SAVAHCS, we celebrated the centennial birthday of Harvey Horn, a former POW/MIA Veteran.

Flight Officer Harvey Horn enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October 1942 and was called up in March 1943. He volunteered for pilot training and was selected to be a navigator. After his training, he deployed to Italy and served with the 772nd Bomber Squadron, 463rd Bomber Group, in the 15th Air Force based in Foggia, Italy.

On March 20, 1945, his plane was shot down, and they ditched in the Adriatic. His crew was picked up by the Germans, and he spent the next 36 days as a Prisoner of War.

During an interview Harvey described his training, preparing for a mission, flying in a B-17, and being shot down. He discussed his time in captivity as he moved from Fiume, Italy, to Nuremberg, Germany, being strafed and bombed by American planes. He addressed his concerns about being an American Jewish Soldier, especially when he was held by the SS. Finally, he recounted the day he was freed, his journey home, and his life since the end of WWII.

Through all Harvey has endured, he still volunteers at the Tucson VA Hospital on Wednesdays serving his fellow Veterans and VA staff.

Happy 100th Birthday Harvey! Thank you for all you do!