1st Lt Harold J. Pfeffer was born in New York City on July 3, 1923. He earned a B.B.A. from the College of the City of New York and enlisted in November 1942, entering the Army Air Force Cadet Training Program. He was called into service on January 28, 1943, and flew 14 missions from Guam to Japan between April and August 1945. He was mustered out as a First Lieutenant on January 19, 1946, and took pride in his service to his country.

After the war, Pfeffer spent five years in the inactive reserve. He built a successful career as a salesman and sales manager in the home furnishing industry from July 1949 to April 1989. He married Barbara Ross on September 4, 1944, who passed away on May 28, 1992. They had three sons: Bruce, Mark, and the late Michael, who died on July 7, 1977. Pfeffer later married Marjorie Cohn on March 24, 1994.