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Personal info

Full name
POPE, Donald Irvan
Date of birth
1925
Age
unknown
Place of birth
North Dakota
Hometown
Conrad, Pondera County, Montana

Military service

Service number
39209106
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Nose Gunner
Unit
725th Bombardment Squadron,
451st Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 August 1944
Place of death
South of Kaposvár, Hungary

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
E 35 41

Immediate family

Members
Louis F. Pope (father)
Gladys O. (Hart) Pope (mother)
Dona J. Pope (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
41-29588
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Szolnok, Hungary
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 7694

More information

2nd Lt Robert T. Rhilinger:
“On route to the target, the subject ship slid underneath us and to the left. It then made a direct turn and headed in the direction of our home base. All four engines seemed to be in operation at that time, although the ship appeared to be losing altitude.”
1st Lt Elwood V. Wilson:
“I think Sgt Pope and bombardier were killed. He left first and was murdered by mad Hungarian civilians.”

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Morris Phillian Family Tree, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Aug.44.html

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Teresa Rhodes