Biography of Robert Orvis Harder

Personal:
Born 8/2/45
Jackson, Mississippi
Married to Doris Ann (Dee Dee) Long in 1975

Education:
Graduated 1962 McGregor High School, McGregor, Minnesota
B.A. 1966 University of Minnesota, Duluth
Majors: Geography, Political Science
Minor: Air Science
AFROTC Distinguished Military Graduate
Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Regular Air Force, on 9 June 1966
USAF Hometown of Record: Tamarack, Minnesota

Military:
Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) Class 67-20 -- Mather AFB, CA
Navigator-Bombardier Training (NBT) Class 68-7 -- Mather AFB, CA
B-52 Combat Crew Training - Winter, 1968 -- Castle AFB, CA
Received Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1525D-- B-52D Navigator
(ASQ-48 Bombing & Navigation System)

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to 306th Bomb Wing, McCoy AFB, FL -- 1968-70
Certified as B-52C & D Combat Crew Navigator, Airborne/Pad Alert -- Summer, 1968
Temporary Duty (TDY) to SEA/Vietnam War under Operation Arc Light -- 1968-70 -- 145 combat missions

Military decorations include the Air Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential (Air Force) Outstanding Unit Award With Combat "V" Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Separation from USAF:
Upgrading to B-52D radar navigator when resignation was approved under
the 1970 Christmas Early Out Program. Separated 12/19/70.

Civilian Flying/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Ratings and Certificates:
Private Pilot Certificate--1971
Instrument Rating--1975
Multi-Engine Rating--1975
Commercial Pilot--1976
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI)--1978

Business Career, Family Heritage, and Other Interests:
After his military service, Mr. Harder entered a management training program with Target Stores, Inc., a young upstart company of only 27 stores in 1971, though it appeared to hold considerable promise for future growth. After a subsequent, lengthy stint in the merchandise catalog showroom industry, he capped his long retailing career as a vice president of Montgomery Ward & Co., Chicago. Later, he was involved in real estate investment and management, getting out of that business by 2004, having learned in Air Force navigator and bombardier schools the enormous benefits associated with precision timing. He is currently pursuing a full-time writing career.

In addition to military matters, Harder also writes about American colonial and frontier life, both a lifelong interest. Although he is descended mostly from late 19th century Norwegian/German immigrants, his maternal grandmother Nelson/Barnett traced her heritage all the way back to colonial Virginia. Various Barnett oral and written histories
passed down for over 300 years also document the family connection to the Algonquian medicine woman, Matoaka, more commonly known as Pocahontas. Recent family DNA tests confirm a 3% Native American content in Harder's generation, a value that could only have had its origins in pre-1700 A.D. Virginia. (Click here for a full narrative on Harder's Colonial Virginia & Native American ancestry).

Harder is a member of the Society of Midland Authors, B-52 Stratofortress Association, 306th Bombardment Wing Association, Air Force Navigators/Observers Association, Pritzker Military Library of Chicago, Newberry Library of Chicago, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and many other aviation, civic, and historical groups. He and his wife, Dee Dee, live in Chicago and at their summer cabin on Big Sandy Lake in northern Minnesota.

Vice-President of the United States, Hubert H. Humphrey, presents USAF Second Lieutenant Robert O. Harder with his graduation diploma during ceremonies at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. The AFROTC cadet had been commissioned only hours earlier. June 9, 1966.

Undergraduate Navigator Training Class 67-20, B Section, posing with a T-29C "Flying Classroom." Robert O. Harder is kneeling front row, far right. Immediately to his right is Lt. Joe Allen, destined to become Brigadier General John J. (Joe) Allen, USAF (Ret.). Joe was one of the very few navigators of the Vietnam era to receive a flag. Immediately to Joe's right is Lt. John Clemen, who became a B-52/Arc Light electronic warfare officer. John, in later life a lawyer specializing in aviation matters, made substantial text contributions to "Flying in the Black Hole.

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