Alfred H. Virden was born in Waite Park, Stearns County, Minnesota, the middle son of Andrew H. and Clara Maria Imdieke Virden.

In July 1944 Staff Sergeant Alfred H. Virden was serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces with the 706th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomber Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force. The 446th Bomber Group flew the B-24 Liberator bomber and was based in Bungay, England, near the North Sea coast, about 90 miles NE of London. The 446th operated chiefly against strategic objectives on the Continent from December 1943 until April 1945. Targets included U-boat installations at Kiel, the port at Bremen, a chemical plant at Ludwigshafen, ball bearing works at Berlin, aero-engine plants at Rostock, aircraft factories at Munich, marshalling yards at Coblenz, motor works at Ulm, and oil refineries at Hamburg and Magdeburg.

Besides strategic missions, the 446th Group often carried out support and interdictory operations. In June 1944, the Group supported the Normandy invasion by attacking strong points, bridges, airfields, transportation, and other targets in France. In July 1944, the group aided ground forces at Caen and St Lo by hitting bridges, gun batteries, and enemy troops.

On 21 July 1944, SSGT Virden was serving as a crew member on a B-24 Liberator bomber that was part of a bombing mission over Munich, Germany. Heavy clouds caused the primary target to be abandoned. Instead, multiple targets of opportunity including bridges, railroads, and tunnels were hit. Three planes were lost that day in the intense flak over the targets. "Quivering Box" (SN 42-100315) had 2 engines taken out by flak and went down, killing 8 men with 3 more taken prisoner. "Maximum Effort" (SN 42-95188) was hit by flak and crashed, killing 2 crew members with the remaining 8 taken prisoner. A third plane, unnamed (SN 42-51257) suffered an engine failure and was subsequently hit by flak. Nine crewmen were killed and one was taken prisoner. SSGT Virden was killed in action while flying on one of those aircraft.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 4
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Forces Aircrew Badge

Memorialization

The remains of Staff Sergeant Alfred H. Virden were never recovered. He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France.