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name
HASPER, Donald Theodore - Date of
birth
22 April 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
El Segundo, Los Angeles County, California -
Hometown
Bakersfield, Kern County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
39708526 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 September 1944 - Place of
death
1 km west of Heiningen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| H | 10 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
George M. Hasper (father)
Carrie I. (Frazier) Hasper (mother)
Elizabeth I. Hasper (sister)
Thomas M. Hasper (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38206 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Silver Fox
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkohle (BRABAG) synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 9408
More information
Sgt Donald T. Hasper graduated from Standard School in 1936 and won the senior award for outstanding leadership of his class. He attended Bakersfield High School and became lieutenant-colonel in command of the cadet corps after being graduated.He enlisted in Los Angeles, California on 1 September 1943.
The formation suffered severe attacks from enemy fighters. The airplane was seen to be burning from the waist and about twenty seconds later it burst into flames all over. It turned on its back and fell straight down.
One crew member survived and was taken prisoner, eight were killed.
Sgt Hasper was initially buried at the cemetery of Heiningen, Germany.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, www.newspapers.com - The Bakersfield Californian
Photo source: www.findagrave.com