Daniel P Bird

Daniel J. Bird was born 16 July 1908 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He was the oldest of 2 sons born to Mary (Mame) and Timothy Bird.  On 12 March 1942 he was inducted into the Army Air Corp and served in

England as a Parachute Rigger and Repairman.  Assigned to the 815th Army Air Force Base Unit, these troops participated in

Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and the Central Europe

Campaigns. These endeavors were some of the most challenging and costly in terms of injury and loss of human life.  Staff Sergeant Bird was discharged on 14 October 1945, honorably serving the country he loved for over 3 years.

In 1944, prior to leaving their base in Braintree, England, Daniel and numerous other members of the U.S. Forces serving in the district generously donated to The Church of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, to fund an American Memorial Window.  A devout, life-long Catholic, Daniel attended that church and was honored to participate in this remembrance.  In a letter he received from the local pastor in 1948, the stained glass window is described as “a magnificent work of art that gives great beauty to this local church and will remain a perpetual memorial to the service of these members and their generosity to this parish”.  A picture of the completed window was also included.  Daniel valued this remembrance and the lives and losses it represented, keeping the letter for the remainder of his life.

Returning to civilian life, he found purpose in his life-long career as a mens’ fine clothing salesman.  He married the love of his life, Betty Jayne Massa on 27 April 1946 and they had 3 children, Pat, Sally, and Judy.  In 1963 the family moved to Mesa, AZ where a new chapter began.

Daniel died on 27 May,1973 at only 64 years of age.  The focus of his life had always remained his faith, family, country, and career.  Dan was a simple, loving man with a big heart and generous spirit.  He  was one of the many unsung but incredibly important heroes who saved the world from tyranny and preserved democracy during the bleakest of times.  Dad, your family thanks you for your service and we are incredibly proud of you and forever grateful.  FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!  Daniel and many other men and women set the baseline for the defense of Freedom and Democracy for future generations.