Harry Bruno, public relations counsel, was born in London, England, on February 7, 1893, the son of Henry A. and Annie (Thompson) Bruno. While still in England, he attended Acton County School and Portland College in London. After he came to the United States in 1907, he attended high school in Montclair, New Jersey.
Bruno worked as advertising manager of the Montclair Herald, 1914-1915, and for the American Press in New York, 1916-1917. He was local sales manager for the New York City Car Advertising Company in 1919. There followed positions in the publicity department of Manufacturers Aircraft Association, 1920; and as sales and advertising manager for Aeromarine Airways, 1921-1922. Bruno served as vice-president of the latter organization in 1923.
With Richard Blythe, Bruno organized H.A. Bruno, R.R. Blythe, and Associates in 1923. He was a partner in this firm until 1934. From 1934 to 1953, he served as president of H.A. Bruno and Associates, and from 1953, he served as president of H.A. Bruno and Associates Inc.
In addition, Bruno was assistant to the head of the division of contract distribution of the Office of Price Mobilization and director of “Defense Specials” for the War Production Board, Washington, 1941-1942. He was also chairman of the War Production Board, Washington, 1941-1942; and chairman of the Public Relations Advisory Committee to the U.S. Air Force, 1949-1954.
Bruno, during his career as a public relations counsel, served as personal representative for Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Charles A. Lindbergh, Wiley Post, Harold Gatty, Dr. Hugo Eckener, Lincoln Ellsworth, and Jacquelin Cochran.
Interested in aviation since his early youth, he pursued the interest as a hobby as well as professionally. He was governor of the Flight Safety Foundation, and served with the Royal Flying Corps of Canada in 1917. In 1921, he received the Glidden Trophy of the New York Aero Club; in 1930, the diploma d'honneur of the Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs; in 1950, the McGough Memorial Award of Air Service Post 501 of the American Legion; in 1951, the Cross of Lorraine (France); in 1951, the General William Mitchell Medal of the Aviation Writers Association; and in 1953, the Exceptional Service Award of the U.S. Air Force.
Bruno was a founder and a member of the Aeroplane Owners and Pilots Association. He was also a member of the American Ordnance Association, the Navy League, the Silurians, the American Legion, the Quiet Birdmen, and the Early Birds. His clubs included: Wings (he was a founder), the New York Athletic, the Military Naval, the Lotos (president, 1951-1962, later Honorary President), the Sales Executives (he was a founder), the Rockefeller Center Luncheon, the National Press Club, the Gypsy Trail, the Aero (Washington), the Adventurers, (New York City, president, 1948), the Overseas Press Club, the Broadcast Pioneers, and the Air Force Association.
Bruno wrote the book, Wings Over America, 1942. He also contributed many articles to magazines.
