David Richard Kingsley
MilitaryAssigned to 341BS, 97BG, 15AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Ploesti 23-Jun-44 A/C hit by enemy aircraft, crashed Plovdiv Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6406.
Selflessly fitted his own parachute harness to wounded tail gunner S/Sgt Michael J Sullivan, then assisted him to a point where he could bale out. Without a harness he condemned himself to crash with the A/C. Posthumously awarded Medal of Honour for this action. "For extreme courage and selfless sacrifice"
Awards: MOH, PH.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
![Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=n7iztoxa)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: O Pissonya
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron 353rd Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Portland, OR, USA | 27 June 1918 | Son of David Ross and Angelina Marie [Rutto] Kingsley. |
|
Died |
Plovdiv, Bulgaria | 23 June 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Ploesti 23-Jun-44 A/C hit by enemy aircraft, crashed Plovdiv Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6406. |
|
Based |
Amendola | 23 June 1944 | Assigned to 341BS, 97BG, 15AF USAAF. |
|
Buried |