Theodore J Don

Military
media-38198.jpeg UPL 38198 1st Lt. Theodore Don. 100th BG, 349th BS.

Personal records

Object Number - UPL 38198 - 1st Lt. Theodore Don. 100th BG, 349th BS.

Theodore Don was Bombardier on board B-17 #42-30259 'Damifino II' on a 24 September 1943 practice flight to test PFF equipment and technique. Intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down. Ditched North Sea. 5 men died. Theodore was among the 5 who were rescued by Royal Navy torpedo boats and returned to duty. MACR 778. Later, completed 25 missions with the Donald H. Moede crew, flying many of those in 'Laden Maiden'. Returned to CONOS (Air Conos Technical School, Chanute Field, Illinois) in 1944 and was instructor at Bombardier school in California. Awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross); Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17051757
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12046800 at enlistment, then O-673491
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36264332
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 10601362
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32391944
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Damifino ii
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Laden maiden
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Tucson, Arizona USA 30 September 1917

Enlisted

3 January 1941 Boston, Massachusetts

Other

Rescued in the North Sea

24 September 1943 by a Royal Navy torpedo boat after ditching of B-17 42-30259 and returned to duty

Died

2 December 2003 Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts USA Brookline, Norfolk County, Massachusetts

Buried

Theodore Don rests at the Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, West Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

Personal records

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 778
NARA WWII Enlistment records
VA Gravesite Locator

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001; MACR 778 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Theodore J Don: Gallery (2 items)