Theodore J Don
MilitaryPersonal records
Theodore Don was Bombardier on board B-17 #42-30259 'Damifino II' on a 24 September 1943 practice flight to test PFF equipment and technique. Intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down. Ditched North Sea. 5 men died. Theodore was among the 5 who were rescued by Royal Navy torpedo boats and returned to duty. MACR 778. Later, completed 25 missions with the Donald H. Moede crew, flying many of those in 'Laden Maiden'. Returned to CONOS (Air Conos Technical School, Chanute Field, Illinois) in 1944 and was instructor at Bombardier school in California. Awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross); Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star.
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: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17051757
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046800 at enlistment, then O-673491
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36264332
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 10601362
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32391944
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 24 September 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
30 September 1917 | ||
Enlisted |
3 January 1941 | Boston, Massachusetts | |
Other Rescued in the North Sea |
24 September 1943 | by a Royal Navy torpedo boat after ditching of B-17 42-30259 and returned to duty | |
Died |
2 December 2003 | Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts | |
Born |
Brookline, Norfolk County, Massachusetts | ||
Buried |
Theodore Don rests at the Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery, West Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts |
Revisions
Added an Association to the 100th BG, the parent bomb group of the 349th, 350th, 351st & 418th Bomb Squadrons & the 412th Air Service group.
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001; MACR 778 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database