Memorial

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Sgt Donald C. Simpson enlisted in Houston, Texas on 20 January 1943.

When the "Whale Knot", one of a series of vessels, went down the ways at the shipyards in Beaumont Texas, it carried the official dedication to Sgt Donald C. Simpson, ball turret gunner on a Flying Fortress, who was killed 7 August 1944 by flak while on a bombing mission over Polish oil fields. Sgt Simpson was the grandson of the late W.H. Simpson, pioneer resident of Clovis.

This cargo ship, constructed in record time without accident, was launched with Sgt Simpson's name in large letters on its side. Launching was at the Pennsylvania shipyards, Beaumont, Texas, 30 November 1944. Immediate members of the Simpson family, with the exception of Clyde and Robert, attended. As the ship slid down the ways, a bouquet of American Beauty roses was presented to Sgt Simpson's mother, Mrs. W.E. Simpson.

Sergeant Simpson attended grade school in Las Vegas while his father, the late W.E. Simpson, was employed by the Santa Fe railway here from 1931-1939.

A news release from an Eight Bomber Command station in England said of Sgt Simpson's death:
"In August 1944 Sergeant Simpson, stationed with the Eight Air Force in England, flew to attack an aircraft factory near Gdyia, Poland and landed in Russia. Taking off from a Russian base to attack a Nazi oil refinery, he was hit by flak over Poland. He died just as the fortress's wheels returned to Russian soil. One of the first Americans to lose his life on the Eastern front, he was buried by the Russian Army with full military honors."