Harry D. Gobrecht enlisted as an Army Air Force Flying. Cadet, was classified at the Santa Ana AAB, California, had pilot flight training at King City and Chico, California and ^? Sumner, New Mexico and graduated as a 2Lt in March 1944 with Class 44-C. His combat crew was obtained at Dyersburg, Tennessee shortly after he had completed the B-17 Pilot Training School at Hobbs, New Mexico. The Gobrecht crew was assigned to the 358th BS(H)/303 BG(H). Their first combat mission was in The Floose on 26 November 1944. Thirty-Five additional missions were flown, twenty in Neva-The Silver Lady. The crew's last mission was completed on March 12. 1945.
Returning to the United States, 1st Lt Gobrecht flew with the Air Transport Command Ferry Division. After completing the ATC Four-engine Transport School, he was assigned to their Pacific Division where he made trips to Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Japan, China, New Zealand and Australia. He was discharged from active duty in January 1946 and remained in the USAF Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in I 965.
After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1948, he married his wife Barbara and started to work with the United States Gypsum Company in Los Angeles. He was transferred to the corporate Offices in Chicago in 1957 where he became a corporate vice president. Directing the USG Corporation transportation and physical distribution activities throughout North America he was a frequent speaker and lecturer before numerous university, transportation and other groups. He was president of the Traffic Club of Chicago and the National Industrial Transportation League and made frequent. trips to testify before and meet with Congressional committees, the Department of Transportation, Interstate Commerce Commission and other organizations working to deregulate the transportation industry. He served on the Boards of numerous organizations and received several prestigious nationwide "Man of the Year" awards.
The Gobrechts have four children and eight grandchildren. Harry Gobrecht enjoyed being active in civic affairs and youth activities his 30 years living in Mt. Prospect, Ill. He was president of his Boy Scout district, chairman of the District and Council Camping committee and Council Order of the Arrow Lodge Advisor. He was honored with the Scouts Silver Beaver Award and his wife, Barbara, with the Silver Fawn Award.
Harry and Barbara returned to California following his 1987 retirement from USG Corporation and settled in San Clemente, California. They now enjoy the "world's best climate", a busy retirement life, and an active schedule as the 303rd Bomb Group m\ Association, Inc. Past President, Historian and Unit Contact. Harry also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah (Pooler), Georgia, Current Commander San Clemente Chapter Military Order of World Wars, and as a member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, San Diego Flight Order of Daedallion (National Fraternity of Military Pilots) and The Retired Officers Association.