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name
MC GRAW, Donald Thomas - Date of
birth
10 August 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa -
Hometown
Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
13072625 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
549th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 October 1944 - Place of
death
1.5 km south of Retzow, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 15 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William Mc Graw (father)
Anna W. (Dashney) Mc Graw (mother)
Raymond J. Mc Graw (brother)
Elizabeth Mc Graw (sister)
William J. Mc Graw (brother)
Francis Mc Graw (sister)
Mona (Ebersole) Mc Graw (wife)
Donald Mc Graw (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6159 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 9515
More information
Donald Mc Graw volunteered for the Army of the United States in Baltimore, Maryland on 9 May 1942.At 1207 hours, at the I.P., enemy fighters attacked in mass formation from the rear and above, coming out of the clouds. The first attack reduced the Group strength to 2 B-17s (which two is undetermined). The fighters then returned and in another mass attack, using the same tactics, shot down the remaining two. Attacks were very aggressive and sudden.
According to the pilot, 1st Lt. Raymond C. Noiseau, who survived the mission, their airplane was on fire and blew up.
Two crew members were taken prisoner, and seven men were killed. They were first buried at the Community Cemetery of Retzow on 10 October 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com – Headstone and Interment Record / Iowa Birth and Christening Index, 1930 and 1940 Census / Virginia Marriage Record, www.fold3.com - MACR www.abmc.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Cumberland Evening Times - 8 December 1944