First Lieutenant Harry L. Blystone

First Lieutenant Harry L. Blystone

First Lieutenant Harry L. Blystone was born in Girard, PA on October 30, 1918; the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon G. Blystone. After graduating from Edinboro High School, Blystone enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and was sent to the Air Corps Technical School. He excelled as a mechanic and was quickly promoted to corporal then sergeant by May of 1942. The Army Air Corps sent him to flight school at Moore Field in Mission, Texas.

 

From there, Blystone went on to fighter pilot school where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Upon completion of his training, Second Lieutenant Blystone was sent to England as a P-47 (Thunderbolt) pilot. He was eventually commissioned as a First Lieutenant. During World War II, Lt. Blystone completed 88 flying missions in Germany and France; with the majority of them being voluntary as only 32 missions were required. During his missions, Lt. Blystone shot down 2 Nazi fighter planes. He and his group escorted B-17s (Flying Fortresses) and B24s (Liberators) to targets deep within Germany. As reported in one newspaper publication:

 

“In recognition of his excellent combat work since the invasion of Europe began, First Lieutenant Harry L. Blystone, North Girard, has been named a squadron commander in the crack P-47 Thunderbolt group based in England. He shared in the destruction of four locomotives and two training planes and has bombed and strafed a railroad station and several freight cars while flying in close support to the Allied land armies. Lt. Blystone has also attacked 20 barges in one mission, scoring numerous hits and inflicting heavy damage which hindered the supply lines of Nazi troops moving up from the interior of France.”

 

For his many successes, Lt. Blystone earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and various European Campaign Medals for Meritorious Achievement. He later returned to the United States and became a P-51 (Mustang) pilot instructor. After the war ended, Lt. Blystone was discharged from the Army Air Corps and spent the next 20 plus years in the US Army Reserves. He raised a family with his wife Beverly in both Erie, PA and Kane, PA. Their son Jack graduated from the Air Force Academy and daughter Nancy served in the Air Force for 4 years, retired from the US Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel, was the Chief Nurse in the 382nd Combat Support Hospital, and holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration. First Lieutenant Harry L. Blystone died May 10, 1996.