Harold Thaddeus Babb was born on January 28, 1913, to Thad Gilbert Babb and Beryl Lorene Woodall Babb, the oldest of their four living children.
He attended the Berry School in Rome, GA, and graduated from Berry College. He served on the Berry track team while in college.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Force and trained as a pilot. He flew the B-24 bomber, "The Liberator," throughout the Second World War, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. At one time, he was the temporary Aircraft Commander of the Bottoms Up bomber. (See photos at right.)
In September and October 1944, Col. Babb was the Commanding Officer, 460th Bomb Group, based in Spinazolla, Italy. He was a veteran of thirty-five bombing sorties in the European-African-Middle East Theatre and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and was entitled to wear the American Defense Ribbon, the American Theatre Riibbon and the European-African-Middle East Theatre Ribbon with five battle stars.
After the war, he continued his career in the Air Force and served in many parts of the world, including Korea, Panama, Peru, Japan, and Washington, D.C.
He married Marcella Faulds in Watertown, NY. Their only child, Beryl Anthony Babb, was born in Panama, but lived only a short time.
His career also included heading the ROTC Program at Purdue University and being the Base Commander of the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas.
He rose to the rank of full Colonel before retiring.
After retirement, he returned to college at Potsdam, NY, and then taught college math and physics in Syracuse, NY, for several years.
His wife Marcella died in May 1977 and was buried in her family's plot in Watertown, NY. For many years, Harold and Marcella had a summer cottage on the St. Lawrence River in Watertown, where they always welcomed extended family members.
Following his retirement from his 2nd career as a college professor, he moved to Portsmouth, VA, where he lived until his death on June 16, 1984.
He married Barbara Tarbert in July, 1983, and adopted her daughter Theresa (Tracy) in early 1984. Both Barbara and Tracy survived him, as did his three siblings: James Carlton Babb, Frances Babb McAfee, and Sarah Babb Farver, and also 10 nieces and nephews who all adored him.
He was buried with full military honors at the Babb family plot in Mill Creek Cemetery, Whitfield County, GA, next to his parents and his older sister, Gwendolyn, who died at birth in January 1912.
He was beloved for his smile, good humor, and wonderful hospitality, and is greatly missed.
(I will fill in the gaps in his bio as I receive more information from other family members---Saralyn.)
Harold Thaddeus Babb was born on January 28, 1913, to Thad Gilbert Babb and Beryl Lorene Woodall Babb, the oldest of their four living children.
He attended the Berry School in Rome, GA, and graduated from Berry College. He served on the Berry track team while in college.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Force and trained as a pilot. He flew the B-24 bomber, "The Liberator," throughout the Second World War, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. At one time, he was the temporary Aircraft Commander of the Bottoms Up bomber. (See photos at right.)
In September and October 1944, Col. Babb was the Commanding Officer, 460th Bomb Group, based in Spinazolla, Italy. He was a veteran of thirty-five bombing sorties in the European-African-Middle East Theatre and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and was entitled to wear the American Defense Ribbon, the American Theatre Riibbon and the European-African-Middle East Theatre Ribbon with five battle stars.
After the war, he continued his career in the Air Force and served in many parts of the world, including Korea, Panama, Peru, Japan, and Washington, D.C.
He married Marcella Faulds in Watertown, NY. Their only child, Beryl Anthony Babb, was born in Panama, but lived only a short time.
His career also included heading the ROTC Program at Purdue University and being the Base Commander of the Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas.
He rose to the rank of full Colonel before retiring.
After retirement, he returned to college at Potsdam, NY, and then taught college math and physics in Syracuse, NY, for several years.
His wife Marcella died in May 1977 and was buried in her family's plot in Watertown, NY. For many years, Harold and Marcella had a summer cottage on the St. Lawrence River in Watertown, where they always welcomed extended family members.
Following his retirement from his 2nd career as a college professor, he moved to Portsmouth, VA, where he lived until his death on June 16, 1984.
He married Barbara Tarbert in July, 1983, and adopted her daughter Theresa (Tracy) in early 1984. Both Barbara and Tracy survived him, as did his three siblings: James Carlton Babb, Frances Babb McAfee, and Sarah Babb Farver, and also 10 nieces and nephews who all adored him.
He was buried with full military honors at the Babb family plot in Mill Creek Cemetery, Whitfield County, GA, next to his parents and his older sister, Gwendolyn, who died at birth in January 1912.
He was beloved for his smile, good humor, and wonderful hospitality, and is greatly missed.
(I will fill in the gaps in his bio as I receive more information from other family members---Saralyn.)
