T-SGT Leonard R. Hardy

This is my Great Uncle Leonard Hardy.  I've never known much about him other than that he died way too young in WWII in France.  But then last month my aunt and uncle visited France.  They went to the cemetery where Leonard is buried.  If I'm not mistaken, it's the first time in more than 40 years that anyone in the family has been to his grave.  Suddenly he was more than 'Grandma's brother who died in the war.'  He was a real person who had a life. 

He left behind a young wife.  Leonard's death was hard on his father; after all, Leonard's mother had passed away only the year before.  Leonard faced some difficult situations in his life and had suffered much heartache, but he kept getting up when he was down.  I can only imagine the things he must have witnessed in the war.  Yet, apparently, he was willing to take on a special mission after his tour of duty was complete.  It was while piloting this mission that he was shot down.  

Like so many (too many) others, Leonard gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  He hasn't been forgotten.  

T-SGT Leonard R. Hardy

Serial Number: 29682373 (US Air Force)

Unit: 454 Bomber Squadron – 323 Bomber Group/Medium

Born: 27 March 1910 in Sterling, Alberta, Canada
Died: 28 September 1944 in Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, France

Decorations: Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters

Cemetery: Brittany (France)

Location: B-06-12