Bernard Cluzen served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Major during World War II. He was first assigned to the Marine Glider Squadron 711 in April 1942, then served with the Marine Fighting Squadron 322 at Page Field in October 1943. He was transferred with the rank of Captain to Marine Fighter Squadron 224. On October 8, 1944, Cluzen, as flight leader, took off in an F4U Corsair on a bombing mission from Dyess FIeld on Roi Island in the Marshall Islands. They bombed gun emplacements east of Enybor Island on the Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands. After the attack, they were heading back to their base when they entered a storm front. Attempting to exit the front, Cluzen was seen entering a climbing turn to the right when he fell off to his left. The plane, apparently stalled, turned over on its back and disappeared. He was declared dead on January 24, 1946. Major Cluzen was awarded the Purple Heart.
