Harry Percival Colbeck
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force

TSgt Colbeck was a veteran of World War II.

During the Korean War, TSgt Colbeck was assigned to McChord Air Force Base in Washington. On 27 May 1952, he was serving as a funeral escort on a Coast Guard PBM-5G Mariner rescue aircraft based at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Port Angeles, Washington. The crew of this PBM-5G was making a water takeoff into the Straights of Juan de Fuca to pick up the mortal remains of an Air Force airman from Prince Rupert, British Columbia. After lifting off the water, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 250 feet, lost power, stalled, and crashed into the water, killing TSgt Colbeck, the co-pilot and two crewmen. Eight others survived the crash.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation