By Deborah Larsen
Claude Marsh Bird
Claude Marsh Bird was born in Rochester, Michigan, on December 20, 1923, the son of Frank and Grace Marsh Bird. He attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1941. He was also a member of Rochester’s Boy Scout Troop 39 and became an Eagle Scout in 1940.
After high school, Claude worked at the Willow Run bomber plant. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in December 1942. After attending several stateside training schools, he earned his pilot’s wings in June 1944. He also married Glenna May of Rochester in 1943.
Claude was sent overseas to the China-Burma-India Theater, where he flew 100 missions and was awarded the Air Medal. After the war, Claude decided to remain in the military. He flew 168 combat missions in Vietnam, and over the course of his 31-year military career, he piloted the B-24, B-57, F-86, and F-4 airplanes. He was highly decorated and held the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal.
After he retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1973, Claude and his wife made their home in San Diego, California.
Claude Marsh Bird died at the age of 82 on July 29, 2006, and was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.