Harry F. Cruver – Colonel, United States Air Force

From a contemporary press report

Harry F. Cruver, 83, a retired Air Force colonel who was a decorated bomber pilot in World War II and a consultant to defense contractors after his military career, died of prostate cancer February 12, 2000 at his home in Falls Church, Virginia.

Colonel Cruver served 28 years in the military, beginning with the Army infantry in 1939.

He attended flight school a couple of years later, then served as a pilot instructor before becoming a command pilot with the 100th Bomb Group in Europe during World War II.

He flew 23 missions over Germany in a B-17, including a major raid over Hamburg that resulted in the loss of nearly one-third of the 100th Bomb Group's aircraft. It was a battle that led the group to be known as the “Bloody 100th.”

His military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

A native of Eagle, Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin and received a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University.

His post-World War II assignments included staff positions at the Pentagon.

Colonel Cruver retired in 1966, finishing his military career as a manpower and personnel staff planner in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In retirement, he worked as a consultant and was active in the Rotary Club.

His wife, Frances Cruver, died in 1991. Survivors include three children, Mark Cruver of Falls Church, Philip Cruver of McLean and Nancy Roylance of Reston; and four grandchildren.


CRUVER, HARRY F. (Age 83)
Colonel, United States Air Force (Ret.)

On Saturday, February 12, 2000 of Falls Church, VA. Beloved husband of the late Frances A. Cruver; loving father of Mark F. Cruver, Philip C. Cruver and his wife Sharon and Nancy A. Roylance and her husband Dave; grandfather of Robin Roylance, Spencer Roylance and his wife Michelle, and Lindsay and Wesley Cruver. Also surviving is his sister, Harriette Cruver. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church, VA on Thursday, February 24 at 5 p.m. with a visitation following at THE MURPHY FUNERAL HOME OF ARLINGTON, 4510 Wilson Blvd., from 7 to 9 p.m. Interment with Full Military Honors, Arlington National Cemetery, Friday, February 25, with friends and family gathering at the Memorial Drive Gate at 12:45 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northern Virginia, PO Box 1576, Merrifield, VA 22116-1576.

hfcruver-gravesite-photo-august-2006

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