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:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Port Orchard, WA | 22 December 1921 | Son of John D. and Alma [Yonkee] Grimes. |
|
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 | |
|
Buried |
Sheridan Municipal Cemetery Sheridan, WY | 5 December 2011 | Sheridan Municipal Cemetery Sheridan, Wyoming |
|
Other Assigned |
Benghazi, Libya | 13 August 1943 | 409th BS, 93rd BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF. |
|
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