Capt. Harold Eugene STERLING

STERLING, NOONAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/2/2014 at 14:00:15

November 3, 1926 --- November 8, 1955

Noonan's Cousin Killed
A cousin of Richard Noonan of Estherville, Capt. A. G. Sterling. 29, Eagle Grove, was one of three Air Force officers killed Tuesday night when a B-47-B jet bomber exploded in the air near Marlin, Tex. Captain Sterling visited at the Noonan home here last August.

Estherville Daily News - Estherville, Iowa
November 10, 1955

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Three Die as Jet Bomber Explodes

Marlin TX - A B-47 Globetrotter jet bomber, capable of carrying an atomic bomb to nearly any part of the world, exploded and crashed in a wooded section Tuesday night, killing the three crewmen. A spokesman at James Connally Air Force base at Waco, said if understood the plane was carrying "considerable classified equipment." This was denied by Biggs air force base at El Paso, where the plane was based. The pilot, Capt. A. G. Sterling, 29, was from Eagle Grove, Ia. The crash occurred five minutes after the crew reported by radio to Connally on a navigation training flight. The reported indicated no trouble.

Cedar Rapids Gazette - Iowa
November 9, 1955

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[Harold Eugene Sterling, not A. G. as reported in news items; buried in Calvary Cemetery in Eagle Grove, Wright, Iowa]

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Funeral services were held Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. for Captain H. E. "Pinky" Sterling at Sacred Heart Church in Eagle Grove. Captain Sterling lost his life in a jet bomber crash near Marlin, Texas November 8th. Rev. Maurice Mullan conducted the services. Last military rites were held at Calvary cemetery in Eagle Grove by members of the American Legion post.

As a final tribute to the popular air force Captain three B-47-B Jet bombers from Biggs Air Force Base at El Paso, Texas flew over Eagle Grove during the service at the cemetery. Two of the big bombers flew high and one roared low over the grave during the service as a salute to Captain Sterling. The two bombers above circled in the “missing man formation”. The pilots were from the 341st Squadron of the 97th Bomb Wing to which Captain Sterling was attached.

Captain Sterling is survived by his wife Libby and three daughters, Betsey, Jan, and Dora; his mother, Mrs. H. B. Sterling; and a sister and brother, Ann and John of Eagle Grove.

Captain H. E. Sterling was born November 3, 1926 at Williams, Iowa. The Sterling family moved to Eagle Grove and he was graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1944. He attended Eagle Grove Junior College for 6 months, Creighton University for one year and Loras College at Dubuque, Iowa for one year. He entered the air force in December, 1943 and received his commission as pilot officer in October 1948. He served overseas with the air force in Korea. At the time of his death he was attached to the 341st Squadron of the 97th Bomb Wing and was based at El Paso, Texas.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE - Iowa
November 17, 1955