George Emerson Conklin

George Conklin (age 17) second from left

Harold DeGroat was a graduate of Hawley High School, probably in the same class as George. He entered the Service on August 3, 1942 and went overseas in August of 1943 as a waist gunner on a B-17. After flying 21 missions over Germany, his parents were notified that their son was missing in action since March 6, 1944. Harold was a staff sergeant and after a year, he was declared dead, but his remains were never found. Harold's son, Harold Jr. was born on February 27, 1944, just eight days before his father was reported missing.