Memorial

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Sgt Donald R. Gordon attended Somerville High School and college.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Boston, Massachusetts.

The airplane collided with two other B-17s in the formation.

1st Lt Edward W. Magee 2nd Lt Lowell W. Burgess, flying in the same formation, flew near the three aircraft involved in the collision and agreed that the following was substantially what happend:
Lt Lambert (42-97239) was flying No. 6 position in the lead squadron, high composite group. Lt Jacobs was flying in No. 2 position of lead element low squadron, high composite group. Lt Schlecht (42-31909) was leader of the second element in low squadron in high composite group. Near Perleberg, Germany, at 10:42 hours with heavy persistent condensation trails making visibility difficult, Lt Lambert, apparently caught in a prop wash, was pitched around. Lt Lambert moved to his left trying to avoid the prop wash and his plane came down on top of Lt Jacobs airplane (42-37942). Lt Lambert's left wing panel flew off and his aircraft seemed to make a loop around the fuselage of Lt Jacobs' ship, cutting or knocking the tail completely off. The tail section gropped and hit the wing of Pilot Schlecht knocking him down as well.

Of this aircraft, three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven men were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of Schmolde, Germany.