Donald H Ennis
Military
Handwritten on image: 'Back Row: Sam Bowman III (P), James Rossman (CP), Art Young (N), Charles Gordon (B). Front Row: Kenneth Dropek (Flt Engineer), Thomas Gorrey (Gunner), Bernard Greeden (Radio), Patrick Commisa (Ball Turret), Donald Ennis (Tail Gunner), Michael Tarzia (Gunner), HEAVEN CAN WAIT.'
Uploaded
Object Number - UPL 5489 - A bomber crew of the 44th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7507) nicknamed "Heaven Can Wait". Handwritten on image: 'Back...
Joined Sqd. 7/5/44. On the return from a mission to ST Pol/Siracourt, FR on 12 Mar 1944, AC #42-7507 'Heaven Can Wait', crashed landed at RAF Friston, Sussex and burned. RTD. Completed tour 2/26/45. Trans/70 RD 3/15/45.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-742276
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Heaven Can Wait
- Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 44th Bomb Group 576th Bomb Squadron 68th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Standing Stone, PA | 1 January 1922 | |
|
Enlisted |
Wilkes-Barre, PA | 2 October 1942 | |
|
Other 44th BG Combat Tour |
Shipdham Airfield, UK | 7 May 1944 - 26 February 1945 | |
|
Died |
Towanda, PA | 2 April 2004 | Donald Howard "Blink" Ennis, 82, of Towanda RR 4, Pa. passed away Wednesday morning April 7, 2004 at Memorial Hospital, Towanda, Pa. Born January 1, 1922 in Standing Stone, Pa. he was a son of the late Burt G. Ennis and Charlotte Cole Ennis. Donald was a graduate of Towanda High School Class of 1940. He was a two-sport athlete in high school competing in football and baseball. Donald also played many years of local organized baseball and softball. He was employed by the Ingersoll-Rand in Athens in early years, and later worked at GTE Sylvania in Towanda for 35 years until his retirement in 1985. A World War II veteran, Donald joined the U.S. Army in October of 1942. SSG Ennis flew 35 bombing missions over Europe between February 1944 and February 1945. He served with the "Flying Eight Balls" of the U.S. 8th Army Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 44th Bomb Group, 68th Squadron, as a tail gunner/nose gunner. All missions were aboard B-24 Liberators. Once, his crew's aircraft was shot down and crewmen were forced to bail out. Ennis and his crew were awarded "Caterpillar Club" pins for having to parachute to save their lives. On another bombing mission, Ennis crew was forced to crash land. The crew was able to escape injury, but their aircraft ironically named "Heaven Can Wait" caught fire and exploded after impact. Mr. Ennis received his honorable discharge from military service in August 1945. He was the recipient of The Air medal with four oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW II. Victory Medal, and Honorable Service lapel button. Donald was a loving husband and father and he enjoyed his grandchildren very much. He was a member of Towanda American Legion Post No. 42 and Beirne-Webster VFW Post No. 1568 Towanda. Donald enjoyed fishing. |
|
Buried |
Towanda, PA | 5 April 2004 | Bradford County Memorial Park Towanda, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, US |
Revisions
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces