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name
MACKENZIE, Donald B - Date of
birth
1 May 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois -
Hometown
Buffalo, Erie County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-735619 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 August 1943 - Place of
death
Frankfurt, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 37 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John P. Mac Kenzie (father)
Elizabeth (Anderson) Mac Kenzie (mother)
Lois Mac Kenzie (sister)
John P. Mac Kenzie (brother)
Warren Mac Kenzie (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29956 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Vertical Shaft
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the ball-bearing factories
MACR: 296
More information
2nd Lt Donald B. MacKenzie graduated from Lafayette High School and attended Bryant & Stratton Business College.He joined the National Guard in 1938. He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1940.
The airplane was shot down by enemy fighters.
A surviving crew member stated that Lt MacKenzie bailed out and died within a couple of hours in a German hospital in Frankfurt. He had seen a jacket with the lieutenant's name on it with a bloody hole in the chest, caused by enemy fire from the attacking fighters.
Eight crew members were taken prisoner, and the pilot and co-pilot were killed.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.384thbombgroup.com, 1940 US Census, New York National Guard Service Card, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-A Chico California, Lafayette High School, 1938, Buffalo Courier-Express - 18 September 1943