In September, 1949 Sam entered the USMA preparatory School at Stewart AFB, NY. He was a popular cadet candidate - everyone seems to remember his interest in cars, particularly the Buick Roadmaster. Studying diligently brought its rewards, and Sam entered West Point in July 1950 with the Class of 1954 and was assigned to Company M-1.

Company mates remember Sam as an easygoing, affable cadet whose major interests remained engines, cars, and airplanes. The yearbook relates that “he is a walking encyclopedia on airplanes and automobile designs, compression ratios, efficiencies, horsepower, and accelerations . . .” He was a member of the Public Information Detail for four years. Initially, the Air Force quota for the Class of ’54 was 25%. Unfortunately, Sam did not make the cut, so he wrote a personal plea to President Eisenhower. Several weeks later, some 15 or so classmates were gathered together and given an opportunity to select that service, and Sam and several other classmates happily did. Sam’s “reward” was confinement until graduation for “failing to go through the proper chain-of-command.”

Following graduation on 8 Jun 1954, 2LT Harover reported to Stallings Air Base, Kinston, NC, to undergo training with Class 55-S in the PA-18 and the T-6. Sam aspired to be a fighter pilot and was pleased to receive orders in March 1955 to report to Greenville AFB, MS, for jet training. After introductory hours in the T-28, Sam began flying the T-33 single engine jet trainer. Because of frequent bad weather, the graduation of Sam’s flight was delayed one month, but on 31 Aug 1955 he was awarded the coveted Air Force pilot wings.

Unfortunately, Sam’s dreams of being a fighter pilot were altered by an Air Force decision to assign newly jet-qualified pilots to the B-47 jet bomber as co-pilots. Thus, Sam and 14 other flight members were assigned to the 384th Bomb Wing at a new Strategic Air Command base. Sam accepted this unexpected career change with aplomb and dutifully reported to the 545th Bomb Squadron, Little Rock AFB. Following B-47 training at McConnell AFB, KS, and survival training at Stead AFB, NV, he and two other members of his crew quickly became combat ready. In September 1955, Sam was best man at a school friend’s wedding in Wisconsin and met Sally DiAnne Caird, a member of the wedding party. Sam and Sally fell in love and were married 23 Jun 1956 in North Little Rock. Sally taught third grade at the Park Hill School. Sam continued flying the B-47 and, when a slot opened, upgraded to aircraft commander and led his own crew. These were exciting days with no-notice checks, alerts, and all-weather simulated bombing missions.

In February 1961, Sam and Sally were blessed with the adoption of a ten-month old baby girl, Laura Lee. After serving seven years at Little Rock AFB, Sam was transferred in April 1962 to Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco, where he was the unit Flying Safety Officer. He easily cross-trained to the C-47 and flew many support missions. The next assignment was to Royal Air Force Greenham Common, England, for one year and then to RAF Upper Heyford; at both bases he was the unit Flying Safety Officer. January 1965 brought a move to Minot AFB, ND, where he served in the 862nd Combat Support Group and continued flying the C-47.

Sam’s professionalism paid off when he was selected to attend the RAF Staff College in Bracknell, England, from 1967 to 1968. After Staff College he was assigned to Wing One Headquarters in Bawtry, Yorkshire, as a staff officer. He cross-trained in the Vulcan II bomber and flew with the RAF until he was reassigned in 1970 to Phan Rang AB, Vietnam. Sam and Sally considered their time with the RAF as one of their most enjoyable tours. Following his one-year Vietnam tour, Sam was transferred to Castle AFB, CA, where he again became the base flying safety officer. Here he “upgraded” to the T-29 and flew in support of the SAC wing.

In June 1972, tragedy struck when Sam was diagnosed with bowel cancer and began chemotherapy treatments. The future looked bleak, so Sam was medically retired on 27 Dec 1972. The many chemotherapy treatments left him weak, but he never lost his faith, his hair, his sense of humor, his love for books, or his great love for his family and friends. Another unexpected tragedy occurred in December 1973. Sam’s beloved mother had come to spend Thanksgiving with the family, but she suffered a massive heart attack and died in their home on December 11th. Sally had to take Mrs. Harover back to Maysville alone, as Sam could not travel.

Sam’s condition continued to deteriorate, and after a long and brave battle, he died in the Castle AFB hospital on 5 Mar 1974. Sam was blessed with a wonderful wife and daughter whom he loved unconditionally. His other great loves were flying for the USAF and serving his country with dignity and honor.

Daughter Laura gave Sam and Sally two grandchildren: Samuel and Thomas. She lives in the state of Washington. Many months after Sam passed away, Sally met and later married MAJ Raymond Warren Danielson, a member of the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle.

“Lefty” retired in 1979, and he and Sally have remained happily together in Merced ever since.