HARMON, Donald Percy | Fields of Honor

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Personal info

Full name
HARMON, Donald Percy

Date of birth
12 April 1920

Age
23

Place of birth
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Hometown
New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey

Military service

Service number
6569621

Rank
Sergeant

Function
Ball Turret Gunner

Unit
524th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy

Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action

Date of death
22 February 1944

Place of death
Near Senden, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten

Plot	Row	Grave
G	20	9

Immediate family

Members
Percy R. Harmon (father)
Jennet M. (Smyth) Harmon (mother)
Guelda Harmon (sister)
Nelda M. Harmon (sister)
Margaret G. Harmon (sister)
Elmer R. Harmon (brother)
Dorothy A. Harmon (sister)
Gerald C. Harmon (brother)
Robert W. Harmon (brother)
Edward S. Harmon (brother)
Ruby M. (Stinson) Harmon (wife)
Barbara L. Harmon (daughter)
Dennis Harmon (son)
James M. Harmon (son)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31028

Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Mojo
Destination: Halberstadt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 2872

More information

Donald Harmon joined the Regular Army in October 1938. He was formerly a member of the Military Police, but transferred to the Air Corps in 1942. He was sent overseas in October 1943.

In a letter to his wife, Harmon stated that he must be leading a charmed life because, he explained that the original crew of his B-17 were all lost in December 1943 while on a mission, in which he was unable to participate, on account of being hospitalized with frostbite. Harmon's very last letter, dated 18 February 1944, disclosed that once again he was confined to the hospital, but only for a slight injury and that he expected to return to active duty momentarily.

The airplane was hit by enemy flak and exploded in the air.

Three crew members were taken prisoner, seven men were killed.