Donald James De Cleene
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
University of Illinois
Object Number - UPL 50391 - Donald James de Cleene
Killed when the B17 he was piloting crashed into Birchenough Hill near Wildboarclough in Cheshire. All five crew members on board died. The plane had been collected from Burtonwood and was destined for Nuthampstead. Don is buried in the American cemetery near Cambridge.
Air medal
Joined the 603rd on August 28th 1944 and was Co-Pilot to Kenneth S Hastings before becoming a pilot in his own right.
J. Gordon Blythe was his co-pilot on two missions at the end of December 1944. One to Blumenthal on the 31st. To Bischofsheim on the 30th.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18153933
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-723562
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-823285
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner
Missions

- Date: 31 December 1944
Places

- Site type: Cemetery
- Known as: Cambridge American Military Cemetery

- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Oak Park, Illinois | 7 February 1921 | |
Died |
Birchenough Hill near Wildboarclough Cheshire | 2 January 1945 |
Revisions
Nuthampstead Air Museum
Nuthampstead Air Museum
Nuthampstead Air Museum
Combat Chronology; 398th History Vol II / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia