Warren D. Glaser was born in New York City, NY on April 18, 1921, the second of three sons of Claude and Minnie Glaser. He and his brothers, Claude, Jr. and Donald, grew up in Bronxville, NY. The three brothers became fierce competitors and he excelled in baseball, football, softball and basketball, which he played throughout high school. He graduated high school at age 15 and subsequently attended Concordia Prep in Bronxville, until he turned 18. He then entered NYU and studied geology. He graduated with his degree in May, 1942.

Lt. Warren Glaser was drafted into the Army of the United States in September 1942, and was assigned to the Army Air Corps. He was assigned to Scott Field, Illinois and took the Radio-operator-mechanic course. Lt. Glaser finished within the top ten percent of his class and received a direct appointment to Aviation Cadets (Communication). He was sent to Technical Training School at Yale University where he graduated in the upper tenth of his class and was commissioned in June 1943.

He was sent to Baca Raton Florida for training in airborne radar as an 0141. His marks at this advanced school were well above average and he was the only one of his class to be chosen to attend Radar Counter-measures school. His primary M.O.S. became 7888.

Upon completion of the RCM course he was assigned to the 4th Sea Search Squadron at Langley Field Virginia. Here he first became acquainted with Pathfinder Radar. He became a qualified ground and flying instructor in the operation and maintenance of the Pathfinder equipment.

On 18 April 1944, he received his orders to report overseas. His final destination was the 466th Bombardment Group (H), 2nd Bomb Division, Attlebridge England, European Theater of Operations. His assignment was to form a Radar section with emphasis on Pathfinder. Since Pathfinder technique was new to the Group, Lt. Glaser’s job included instruction to the Combat Crews, development of new techniques, training both in the air and on the ground and maintenance of all Pathfinder equipment.

That he succeeded is evidenced by the fact that within a month after reporting to the 466th Bomb Group, planes maintained by the new Pathfinder section were flying Wing, Division, and Air Force leads. As more equipment came overseas, his section of one Officer and thirty enlisted men expanded to three sections, one at each Bomb Group in the 96th Combat Wing, with six Officers and approximately seventy-five enlisted men. He was placed in charge of all Pathfinders sections of the 96th Combat Wing, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on December 1, 1944.

He delegated his responsibilities sufficiently to enable him to fly six combat missions in his primary specialty as a 7888 and was awarded the Air Medal in March of 1945. Being in the navigator’s position, he was always a bit leery of incoming flak. For added protection, he would routinely grab an extra flak jacket, one to sit on, and one to wear in case of in coming flak from any direction!

Lt. Glaser returned to the United States with his group in June of 1945. His stateside assignment was as head of the Radar section at Mountain Home Air Base. He was discharged in September of 1945.

After his discharge, he worked for the Indemnity Insurance Company of North America as an Underwriter, Special Agent and Assistant Manager of the White Plains, NY office. In September, 1948, he met and married Patricia Draz, also of Bronxville, NY. They had a daughter, Lynn, who was born in November, 1949 and Patricia was expecting their second child, Daniel, when Warren was recalled to active duty. On August 15th, 1950 after approximately five years of civilian life he was recalled to active duty.

Lt. Glaser was assigned to the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base [Ellsworth Air Force Base] in Rapid City, SD, as an ECM Observer on the RB-36 Peacemaker. He attended a refresher course at the base and was assigned to the Wing Standardization Board where he remained for the duration of the Korean War.

After his service in Korea, he was discharged and returned to the New York area. He bought a house and settled in Hartsdale, NY, where he lived until his retirement. He would spend the summers at his second home in Groton Long Point, CT.

Upon his return, he went to work for Johnson & Higgins Insurance Brokers in Manhattan. He left J & H in 1961 and went to work for Skandia Prudential Reinsurance Company, where he ultimately rose to head up the treaty reinsurance department. He was an avid golfer, a member of St Andrews Golf Club in Hasting-on-Hudson, NY, and a long-time curling enthusiast. He retired from Skandia in 1985 and moved with his wife, Pat, to Tequesta, FL. He died in October, 2007, at age 86, survived by his wife, his four children (Lynn, Daniel, James, and Joan), and 10 grandchildren (Dale, Michael, Scott, Elizabeth, Casey, Kimberly, Colleen, Cory, Caroline, and Amanda).