Donald J Broadbent

Military
media-30658.jpeg UPL 30658 Donald J Broadbent, Lieutenant, Bombardier, 487th Bomb Group Charles D Taylor collection

"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 22 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.

Object Number - UPL 30658 - Donald J Broadbent, Lieutenant, Bombardier, 487th Bomb Group

After completing training as a bombardier and being commissioned he married his childhood sweetheart just before being deployed to the ETO and heading for England. Flew 34 missions as part of 'Elliots' Idiots' crew during which only one member of the crew was injured when a piece of flak tore off his thumb. Post war he ran an auto products company at Wichita Kansas.

Air Medal with 4 clusters.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room.
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Northfield, MN 55057, USA 24 July 1923

Enlisted

Lemay, MO 63125, USA 2 February 1943 Jefferson Barracks

Died

Urbandale, IA, USA 8 October 2009 onald James Broadbent, 86, passed from this life on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2009 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Des Moines. Burial with Military Rites will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary service at Iles Funeral Homes- Westover Chapel. Don was born the son of Walter Roy and Louise Katherine Schanno on July 24, 1923 in Northfield, MN. He was a graduate of Mason City High School. On July 4, 1944, he married Margaret "Peggy" Bruns in Kearney, NE and to this union, two children were born: Judith and Thomas. They moved to the Des Moines area in 1963. He was one of the founding members and board member of BG Products in Wichita, KS and the owner and operator of Broadbent Distributing. Don was a true "businessman" and was still involved with his company. He was a WWII Army Air Corp veteran and member of St. Theresa's, St. Vincent De Paul, 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Golden Key Kiwanis, 487th Bomb Group WWII, the Serra Club and Ministry of Care. He really gave of his time, the Ministry of Care Program took him to meet many people especially those at the VA Hospital and at Broadlawns Medical Center. He enjoyed golfing and being involved in his church. He will be missed by his son, Tom (Linda) of Urbandale; daughter, Judi Jones of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Michael, Roger, Danielle and Rebecca; six great-grandchildren and his sister, Helen Johnston of Nampa, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2008 and his sister, Elizabeth Keister. Memorials contributions may be made to St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa or St. Pius X Catholic Church in Urbandale, Iowa. "Click here to view memorial folder" ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL.

Buried

Des Moines, IA, USA 12 October 2009 Glendale Cemetery Des Moines, Iowa
Cerro Gordo County, IA, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

Iowans of the Mighty 8th

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Donald-J.-Broadbent-86910980
"The History of the 487th Bomb Group" - Ivo De Jong, page 313

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mrs. Joseph Gaffney

Donald J Broadbent: Gallery (3 items)