To WWII veteran Harold (the Prophet) Henry, life is about God and country 

Harold Henry, a top turret machine gunner during WWII, was with his crew in a B-24 heavy bomber when the plane ran out of fuel over the North Sea and ditched into the frigid water. Photo by Tom Ford.

by Patrice Johnson

The ranks of surviving World War II veterans grows thinner with each passing year. Thankfully, Harold (the Prophet) Henry is alive and well, enjoying independent living in his home near Gregory.

Henry’s military experience began in 1944. World War II had raged for nearly five years when the 17-year-old who valued God and country, in that order, could wait no longer to express his patriotism. The 11^th grader quit his Detroit high school as soon as he turned 18, and then this son of Florence and Andrew Henry enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in October. He joined the service in January.

Soon, Staff Sergeant Henry was serving in the European Theater on a heavy bomber B-24 as a top turret machine gunman. Also called Liberators, these American-built airplanes also played key roles in anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol.

When asked to describe one of the most memorable parts of his service, Henry replied, “witnessing the curvature of the earth.”

Although he preferred not to discussthe trauma of his war experiences, he confirmed that his B-24 ran out of fuel over the North Sea and was forced to ditch into the frigid water. He was one of the lucky crew members to survive due to a British minesweeper craft coming to their rescue within 30 minutes.

German forces surrendered in May 1945, and Henry’s tour of duty came to an end in Aug. 1945. He was honored with two air medals.

On return home, Henry worked for a blueprint company. Then in 1947, he moved to the family farm on Dexter Trail where he resides today.

For fun and personal satisfaction, he plays piano, most recently performing at the Stockbridge Library. Photo by Laura Walsh.

People who know Henry say God and country mean everything to him. For fun and personal satisfaction, he plays piano, most recently performing at the Stockbridge Library.

His advice to today’s youth? “Develop your relationship with God,” he wrote, and he stressed the importance of opening up the senses to God.