Harold W. Moll

Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Moll was a United States Air Force officer. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on April 24, 1906. Both of his parents came from Germany. He graduated from Reading High School in 1925. Enlisting in the United States Army during the 1920s, he joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1931. During World War II he served in the North African and Italian Campaigns in the 99th Bombardment Group. Remaining in the Air Force after the war, he served in Strategic Air Command; the United States Air Forces in Europe and the Military Air Transport Service. Retiring in 1957, he lived in San Antonio, Texas until his death in 1967.
Military service
On 25 November 1925 he enlisted in the United States Army for three years, being discharged on 24 November 1928. During his three-year enlistment, Private First Class Moll's principal duty was a gunner and searchlight operator. He was assigned to Fort Totten, North Dakota.
Upon his discharge Moll returned to Reading, where he worked a few years in the civilian labor force. On 16 April 1933, Moll re-entered the armed forces, enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His military record shows that Moll was promoted to Corporal on 31 June 1936, and to Sergeant on 15 September 1937, eventually reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. His principal duty was as an Aircraft Mechanic, becoming a crew chief on heavy bombers.
During the 1930s, he was assigned primarily with the 96th Bombardment Squadron, 2d Bombardment Group, being stationed at Langley Field, Virginia, and deploying with the squadron to Albrook Field, Canal Zone during 1933-1936. He worked on the front-line bombers of the era, the Keystone LB-5A, Martin B-10, B-18 Bolo and early B-17C and E Flying Fortresses.
In May 1941, he was transferred to the newly established 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group at Langley with B-17Cs, being sent TDY to Bangor Army Air Field, Maine in August with B-18As performing antisubmarine patrol and convoy escort training over the Newfoundland Straits.
World War II
On 15 May 1942, Harold Moll left the enlisted ranks and became a Warrant Officer. With that promotion, he was reassigned to Gowen Field, Idaho where he was assigned as a Materiel Inspector with the 16th Bombardment Wing. With the rapid buildup of the USAAF, he was reassigned to the newly established 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in September as a B-17E Engineering Officer, attached to the group headquarters.
The winter weather in the Pacific Northwest was not favorable for flying, so the 99th relocated to Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa for the second phase of training. The third phase of training took place at Smokey Hill Army Air Field, Salina, Kansas in January 1943.
After completion of training, the 99th departed for Algeria, where he went by ship from New York to Marrakech, Morocco; the air echelon flying to Morrison Field, Florida then along the South Atlantic Route to Navarin Airfield, Algeria where the ground and air echelons of the group were reunited in late February 1943.
On 15 Aug 1943, Harold Moll received a reserve officer commission and became a Second Lieutenant. He was reassigned to the 99th's 416th Bombardment Squadron, where he spent the next year as an Engineering Officer. At Tortorella Airfield, Italy he was reassigned back to the Headquarters element of the 99th, as Group Air Inspector, having risen to the rank of Captain. He remained with the 99th until the end of the war; returning to the United States in July 1945 and being assigned back to the 16th Bombardment Wing at Biggs Field, Texas as a Maintenance Officer.
Cold War
After the war, Moll remained in the Army Air Forces. In early 1946, he was reassigned to the embryonic Strategic Air Command, assigned to Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona where with the 444th Bomb Group he was the Group Technical Inspector, later becoming the Chief of the Supply and Transportation squadron. On 27 September 1947, as a result of Transfer Order #1, Major Moll was transferred to the Department of the Air Force.
In early 1950, he received orders to Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe, and spent the next three years in several staff positions at Wiesbaden Air Base. Returning to the United States, in 1953 Major Moll was assigned to Headquarters, Military Air Transport Service in Washington, D.C., as Chief, Aircraft Supply Branch for a brief period; eventually being stationed at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas as Chief of Supply Division of MATS Continental Division.
At Kelly AFB, Major, later Lieutenant Colonel Moll, served in several positions, lastly becoming Commander, 1700th Field Maintenance Squadron. He retired from active duty on 29 November 1957.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Moll resided in San Antonio Texas. He died on December 5, 1967 at the Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX.
Decorations
* Bronze Star
* Air Force Commendation Medal
* Army Commendation Medal
* Good Conduct Medal
* American Defense Service Medal
* American Campaign Service Medal
* European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Army Of Occupation Medal, World War II (Germany Clasp)
* National Defense Service Medal
* USAAF Distinguished Unit Badge
* Air Force Reserve Medal

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