HARLEY ROLLINGER, born January 7,1923 in LeMars, Iowa. He interrupted his college education in November of 1942 to enlist in the aviation cadet program. He graduated in class 44-C at Mission, Texas. His initial training in P-47's was at Dover, Delaware. After a few months of pre-combat training in England, he was assigned to the 507th Fighter Squadron of the 404th Fighter Group that was stationed in St. Trond, Belgium.

Most of his 76 combat missions were close support work involving dive bombing and strafing all types of enemy targets.

Probably the most memorable combat experience occurred on a combat strike of twelve P-47's against the Lippe Airdrome. The object of this mission was to destroy the German fighter planes and prevent their use to protect the nearby Remegen Bridge that the allied forces were attempting to capture. Two of our P-47's were lost on their initial pass on the airdrome.

Lt. Rollinger's plane was critically damaged on his third pass on the field. After gaining control of the plane, he set course for the bomb line. He could not sustain altitude, and it was soon obvious that the plane could not be saved. Since there was a very limited area that was not covered with timber, the plane was virtually flown into the ground to slow it down within the only available clearing.

When the aircraft finally came to rest, it was up on its nose. Lt. Rollinger observed three German civilians approaching from a distance of a couple of hundred yards. He jumped down and ran into the timber and covered as much distance as physically possible in a short time. Later, he made contact with an American Infantry Patrol who guided him some twenty miles to the rear where he could make telephone contact with his unit.

Lt. Rollinger was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters for his combat efforts. He was discharged from the Air Force in the fall of 1945.

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1948 where he was captain of the football team in 1947. Upon graduation, he entered the teaching and coaching profession. He coached football at Webster City, Iowa and at Moline, Illinois during the next twenty-five years, compiling a record of 173 wins and 31 losses. He is currently Athletic Director at Moline High School, where his wife, Phyllis, also serves as a Guidance Counselor. The Rollingers are the parents of two grown daughters.