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Personal info

Full name
DORA, John David
Date of birth
11 March 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Cambridge City, Wayne County, Indiana
Hometown
Warren Township, Marion County, Indiana

Military service

Service number
15382349
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Engineer/Gunner
Unit
32nd Bombardment Squadron,
301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 April 1944
Place of death
Kleinreifling, Austria

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
C 31 75

Immediate family

Members
John R. Dora (father)
Ida E. (Bertsch) Dora (mother)
Janet R. Dora (sister)
Mary E. Dora (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3144
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Steyr, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the ball bearing plant
MACR: 4197

More information

S/Sgt John D. Dora graduated from Warren Central High School in 1941 before he volunteered for the Army of the United States atn Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 3 December 1942.

S/Sgt John E. P. Mullally:
Airplane #144’s #1 engine was smoking and dropped back out of formation. Ten enemy fighters attacked from 5, 6 and 7 o’clock. The plane started down after the third fighter had completed his attack. Apparently, the men at the controls tried to straighten the plane out of its dive. When the ship snapped back to an almost level position it broke in two. Several men fell out, but no chutes were observed opening, and it is doubtful if any of the crew survived.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Anne Mount Family Tree / 1930 census / Indiana Birth Certificates, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com – Patootie, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Apr.44.html
Photo source: www.newspapers.com - The Indianapolis News