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name
PETERSEN, Donald Erwin - Date of
birth
20 May 1918 -
Age
26 -
Place of birth
Racine County, Wisconsin -
Hometown
Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-714829 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
409th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 October 1944 - Place of
death
Near Bitburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 7 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Nils C. Petersen (father)
Livia T. (Anderson) Petersen (mother)
Milton C. Petersen (brother)
Vanetta L. Petersen (sister)
Marvin W. Petersen (brother)
Doris M. Petersen (sister)
Elmer P. Petersen (brother)
Eloise Petersen (sister)
Rigmor (Lank) Petersen (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95168 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Alley Cat
Destination: Mainz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 9348
More information
The aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft fire, causing three of its four engines to fail. Part of the crew managed to bail out by parachute and was taken prisoner, but unfortunately Donald E. Petersen did not survive the crash.He is remembered at the Graceland Cemetery in Racine, Racine, Wisconsin.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Jones Family Tree / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Albert Ledoux / SueMac / Nadeen
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – J / SueMac / Nadeen, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-B, Victory Field, Vernon,
Texas.