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Personal info

Full name
DUNCAN, Dennis Harold
Date of birth
20 December 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Colver, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Blair County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-810637
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
492nd Fighter Squadron,
48th Fighter Group
Awards
Distinguished Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 December 1944
Place of death
50°12'41''N - 5°45'54''E
South of Petites-Tailles, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 25 8

Immediate family

Members
Dennis G. Duncan (father)
Edna R. Duncan (mother)
Valera E. Duncan (sister)
Charles F. Duncan (brother)
Mary L. Duncan (sister)
James R. Duncan (brother)
Herburt J. Duncan (brother)
Eugene J. Duncan (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-28537
Data
Type: P47D
Destination: Sankt Vith, Beglium
Mission Armed Reconnaissance
MACR: 11491

More information

1st Lt Dennis H. Duncan worked in a machine shop.

He enlisted in Altoona, Pennsylvania on 5 August 1942.

Statement from Frank. R Hall 1st Lt., who took part in the same mission:
"I was leading Green flight on am armed reconnaissance mission on 27 December 1944. 1st Lt Dennis H. Duncan was leading Yellow Flight during this mission. I had my flight almost directly in trail with Yellow Flight, when I saw four burst of heavy flak explode between Lt. Duncan and his wing man, 2nd Lt Robert R. Hutto. Almost immediately, Lt Duncan called that he had been hit in the canopy, and that he would jettison his bombs and return to base. He remained in the area however, orbiting for about three or four minutes, then jettisoned his bombs and started for base, accompanied by his wing man. He had only gone a few seconds when his wing man called for him to get out, that his plane was burning. I watched from approximately two miles and saw Lt Duncan's plane start slowly down, then almost straight, as if out of control. I then saw the plane crash and explode in the woods. I did not see Lt Duncan bail out; nor did see a parachute afterwards."

Statement from Robert R. Hutto 2nd Lt., who also flew in the same mission:
"I was flying as wingman to 1st Lt Dennis H. Duncan, who was leading Yellow Flight on an armed reconaissance mission on 27 December 1944. Our flight, along with Green Flight, was acting as top cover for Red and Blue Flights. Upon reaching the target area, Red an Blue Flights had completed their bomb run and were climbing to cover us. At 12,000 feet, we began letting down and getting ready to bomb. At about 9,000 feet, I heard flak burst right under me and we started weaving. I gave a quick look to see if I was hit had the began looking for my leader, Lt Duncan. He seemed alright, but was telling Red Leader that he wouldn't bomb because his canopy was shot up. When the rest of our flight went down to bomb, I stayed with Lt Duncan. About five minutes later, he jettisoned his bombs, so I released mine, too. Suddenly, I saw flame coming out of his super-charger and I tried to call him and tell him. Soon after, I saw his canopy come off and Lt Duncan half-stand up in his plane. There was flame in his cockpit by this time and I was still yelling for him to get out. At this time, his plane was in nose high altitude and in a slight turn left. This caused me to close on him fast. I had to break away to the left, wich blacked him out for a few seconds. When I had turned back so as to him, the plane half rolled to the right and started down. The plane was burming badly by now, and it exploded at about 1.000 feet from the ground. We were about 6,000 feet when Lt Duncan tried to get out. He may have bailed out when I pulled away from him. Lt. Duncan's plane crashed into a wooded area. I did not see a parachute and I don't think Lt Duncan got out."

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten,  WWIIMemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application File

Photo source: Nico Leers, Jon M. Watson, Jake Cooper, www.ancestry.com