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name
MCCOLSKEY, Donald Henry "Donnie" - Date of
birth
18 August 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Lake City, Columbia County, Florida -
Hometown
Columbia County, Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14079517 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Engineer / Gunner -
Unit
32nd Bombardment Squadron,
301st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Vienna, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 42 | 35 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Donald H. McColskey (father)
Julia B. (Crawford) McColskey (mother)
John A. McColskey (brother)
Francis E. McColskey (sister)
Stephen A. McColskey (brother)
Miriam C. McColskey (sister)
Robert W. McColskey (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6353 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Princess O'Rourke
Destination: Vienna, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the Lobau oil refinery
MACR: 8620
More information
S/Sgt Donald H. McColskey attended high school for four years and worked as a truck driver for the Lake City Laundry Company.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Moody Field Valdosta, Georgia on 3 August 1942.
Statement from Sgt Robert C. Shaughnessy:
"I was flying as ball turret gunner on Airplane #44-6347, flying in the 2-3 position, with plane #44-6353 in the 1-3 position. Just before the target, our plane, due to engine trouble pulled off to the right a 1000 yards, which gave us a view of the lead squadron in action. Just after bombs away, 353 started in a wide circle leaving the formation. The plane appeared under control, but at this time three chutes came out, and the plane started down. After falling about 2000, the plane blew up into several pieces. I then turned my back as I had to watch our #4 engine which was acting up. I don’t believe any more chutes than those above mentioned came out of the plane. The plane blew up at 48.11 N 16.29 E."
The airplane was hit by flak. Seven crew members were killed, three were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1920 Census, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - a415man
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Tyler