Harlyn Lee Bossert was the son of World War 1 veteran Harry Andrew Bossert. Harlyn was born in 1921 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin, and grew up with his younger brother Louis and younger sister Ruth. Harlyn died on December 12, 1986. He is buried in Arlington Park Cemetery, Greenfield, Wisconsin.



Harlyn Served in the Army Air Force from September 1, 1941 until September 11, 1945 and flew 33 missions. He flew aboard the B17 Flying Fortress that was named the Mah Ideel. He served with the John W Green Crew 91st BG.



He was the husband of Clarice and father of 6 children. His children included Vietnam War veteran David J. Bossert, who followed in his father’s legacy by serving as a spotter aboard “Mohawk” reconnaissance planes for the U.S. Army. His other children included James, Susan, Nancy, Tom, and Kathleen. At the time of his death he had 9 grandchildren, with two more grandchildren born after his death.



Harlyn was also the great-uncle of Army Sergeant Andrew L. Bossert of Fountain City, Wisconsin, who was killed in action on March 7, 2005 in Ramadi, Iraq. Andrew was the victim of an Iraqi IED.



After the war, Harlyn had a successful career as an insurance salesman for State Farm Insurance, with his office based in Greenfield, Wisconsin. Harlyn was also active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).