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Personal info

Full name
JESTER, Donald Edward
Date of birth
3 October 1919
Age
23
Place of birth
Ashdown, Little River County, Arkansas
Hometown
Arkansas

Military service

Service number
17023590
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
67th Bombardment Squadron,
44th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
8 March 1943
Place of death
Villers-Ecalles, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 36 14

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Jester (father)
Ussey Jester (mother)
Joe Jester (brother)
Evadine Jester (sister)
Will Jester (brother)
Ruth Jester (sister)
Jean Jester (sister)
Lois Jester (sister)
Fred Jester (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
41-23784
Data
Nickname: Miss Dianne
Type: B-24D
Destination: Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 15570

More information

T/Sgt Donald E. Jester attended Ashdown High School.

The airplane was attacked by enemy aircraft in the vicinity of Villers-Ecalles, France. As a result of this attack their plane burst into flames.

Eight crew members were killed, three men survived and were taken prisoner.

The first picture was taken in high school in 1936.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1940 US Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Ashdown High School 1936, Storiesbehindthestars.org