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Personal info

Full name
DENMEAD, Donald Richard
Date of birth
29 November 1923
Age
20
Place of birth
New Jersey
Hometown
Netcong, Morris County, New Jersey

Military service

Service number
12038122
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
337th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 OakLeaf Clusters,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
16 December 1943
Place of death
Waddenzee approximately 2 miles northwest of Harlingen, The Netherlands

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John Tennant Denmead (father)
Caroline C. Denmead (mother)
John T. Denmead (brother)
James G. Denmead (brother)
Bruce P. Denmead (brother)
Edward P. Denmead (brother)
Henry W. Denmead (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30872
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Blond Bomber
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 1565

More information

Sgt Donald R. Denmead was a sales clerk.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Newark, New Jersey on 15 December 1941.

Aircraft #42-31113, that was flying above aircraft #42-30872, was attacked by enemy aircraft. One engine was shot off and hit their airplane, causing them both to crash. No parachutes were seen.

The entire crew of both aircraft was killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census, www.8thafhs.com

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com - Edward P. Denmead (brother)