1st Lt Howard E. Byrne flew 7 missions, from 12/01/1943, mission #2, to 01/29/1944, mission #17. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 615th Squadron, during World War II. He was the co-pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress "Little Boots" when it was struck by enemy fire on 29 January 1944 on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Of the 10 crewmen, he was among 5 survivors taken Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft, then later returned to the United States. Lt. Byrne was awarded an Air Medal.