Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
DONALDSON, Melvin Eugene
Date of birth
4 August 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Hometown
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska

Military service

Service number
T-132581
Rank
Flight Officer
Function
Bombardier
Unit
450th Bombardment Squadron,
322nd Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 March 1945
Place of death
South of Bonefeld, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
O 17 5

Immediate family

Members
Walter S. Donaldson (father)
Laura (Kyte) Donaldson (sister)
Dorothy (Chambers) Donaldson (sister)
Caroline Donaldson (sister)
Doris J. (Smith) Donaldson (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
44-68100
Data
Type: B-26-G20-MA
Destination: Not available
Mission: Not available
MACR: 13096

More information

F/O Melvin E. Donaldson attended Benson High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

The aircraft received a direct flak hit in the cockpit and was seen to crash and explode one mile south of Bonefeld, Germany. One parachute was observed to come out of the waist window.

Five crew members were killed, one man survived and was taken prisoner.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com - Loren Bender, www.fold3.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.ancestry.com - Benson High School Yearbook 1943, www.findagrave.com - Loren Bender