Donald J Grimes
MilitaryAssigned to 40BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF. On TDY to 9th AF. Flew as engineer of B-24 42-40127 on 1-Aug-43 Ploesti raid, returning to Libya.
Later on 13-Aug-43 mission to Weiner Neustadt diverted to Switzerland where crew was interned. 'Death Dealer' B24 42-40611 lost an engine near the target and another engine was lost over the target. This was the first US a/c to land in Switzerland. One gunner attempted to escape through Germany and was shot.
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13034557
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description: 177 B-24’s, of IX Bomber Command (including Heavy Bombers on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the targets...
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Born |
Port Orchard, WA | 22 December 1921 | Son of John D. and Alma [Yonkee] Grimes. |
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Other Survived Ploesti |
Ploiești, Romania | 1 August 1943 | Flew as Engineer of B-24 42-40127 on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti raid, returning to Libya with loss of one crew member. |
|
Other Interred (INT) |
Wil, Switzerland | 13 August 1943 | 13 Aug 43 mission to Weiner Neustadt diverted to Wil, Switzerland where crew was interned. 'Death Dealer' B24 42-40611 lost an engine near the target and another engine was lost over the target. This was the first US a/c to land in Switzerland. One gunner attempted to escape through Germany and was shot. |
|
Died |
Sheridan, WY 82801, USA | 1 December 2011 | |
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Buried |
Sheridan Municipal Cemetery Sheridan, WY | 5 December 2011 | Sheridan Municipal Cemetery Sheridan, Wyoming |
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Other Assigned |
Benghazi, Libya | 13 August 1943 | 409th BS, 93rd BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF. |
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Enlisted |
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Other Specialist / Gunnery training |
Scott Field, IL | Specialist / Gunnery training - Scott Field, Illinois |
Revisions
'Ploesti' by Dugan & Stewart, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 232 with picture of plane / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia