When you realize that more than sixteen million men served in the US Armed Forces during WWII, you understand that almost every family in the USA has some connection to a WWII veteran. For Harry B. Reese, the creator of Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, this wasn’t any different. Harry was born in 1879 and had at least thirteen children. One of them was Harry B. Reese, Jr, born in 1924.
Out of all children, Reese Jr was the only one to serve in World War II. According to http://www.americanairmuseum.com/ Harry B. Reese, Jr served in the 833rd Bomb Squadron of the 486th Bomb group. There he served as a mechanic in crew “A”.
The 486th Bomb Group was part of the US Eight Air Force. They were equipped with B-17’s and B-24’s and flew a lot of missions that included targets in Germany. Other missions were for Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.
Reese Jr’s task was to make sure to repair and control the aircrafts that were flown by Flight A of the 833rd bomb squadron. The above picture of all the mechanics of Flight A can be found on the 486th website.
Not only do I hope that you think of Reese’s involvement in WWII next time you eat a peanut butter cup. I hope you start thinking about other families and brands or maybe your own family, that is in some way connected to a WWII veteran.
One thought to “Son of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Served in WWII.”
I’m very pleased to meet you.
I wish I could help support your research, but I am retired and on a very strict budget.