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Submit- Full
name
HALDEMAN, Donald C - Date of
birth
1917 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Oregon -
Hometown
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-396451 -
Rank
Major -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
827th Bombardment Squadron,
484th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 May 1944 - Place of
death
South of Graz, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 49 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry H. Haldeman (father)
Jessie L. (Barber) Haldeman (mother)
Barbara L. Haldeman (sister)
Harry Haldeman (brother)
Marjorie L. Haldeman (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52677 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Hustlin Hussy
Destination: Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the industrial areas
MACR: 5785
More information
2nd Lt Howard Higgings:"A few seconds after bombs away, number 42-52677 made a turn to the left and began to lose altitude. The airplane appeared to be under control, and we followed in the turn until we observed a fire in the bomb bay. We then broke away from it and rejoined the formation to our right. Two minutes later, while rejoining the formation, I saw a plane, presumably number 42-52677, on our right, behind, and about 5,000 feet below us. Great quantities of smoke appeared to be coming out of the center of the ship, but it still appeared to be under control. At this time we saw four parachutes blossom out. The airplane then nosed over sharply, and another parachute was seen to open. The plane then fell about 3,000 feet and blew up in midair."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / The Kinney Family Tree / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/May.44.html
Photo source: www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbooks - Long Beach, California