Donald A Currie Jr

Military
media-53430.jpeg UPL 53430 Donald A Currie Jr and crew, B-17 42-31034 'Bonny Donnie', Donald A Currie kneels centre.

Other crew members: 1Lt Clayton Alan Johnston (CP), 1Lt Morey B Jeffery (N),1Lt Roy Richard Winn (B), T/Sgt Cosmo Anthony DiPierro Sr (RO), T/Sgt Earl C. Gibson (TT), S/Sgt's Cecil L. Graf (BTG), Walter L Surprise (TG), Marvel T. Severson (WG), Joe R Amber (WG).

Object Number - UPL 53430 - Donald A Currie Jr and crew, B-17 42-31034 'Bonny Donnie', Donald A Currie kneels centre. Other crew members: 1Lt Clayton Alan Johnston (CP), 1Lt...

Assigned to 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF. 38 x combat missions. ETD



"Two missions after "The Bonnie Donnie" belly landed (Frankfurt mission) and a flak attack over Cologne had damaged the landing gear, Pilot Currie jettisoned his ball turret prior to landing on her belly. Getting rid of the ball turret undoubtedly stopped the A/C breaking in half on landing and meaning all crew escaped unharmed."



Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (5OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Stars).

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36703821
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Togglier, Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12172563
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15086940
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19188506
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35018153 / O-685629
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ice Cold Katy
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Bonnie Donnie
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Shape
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Pinehurst, NC 13 March 1923 Son of Donald A Currie Sr.

Enlisted

Winston-Salem, NC 28 April 1942 Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Other

Ended military service

31 January 1972 Retired USAF, Rank of Colonel.

Died

Seneca, SC 28 January 2008

Buried

Sunset Memory Gardens Mint Hill, Mecklenburg County, NC Sunset Memory Gardens Mint Hill, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Based

Deenethorpe Assigned to 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF.

Donald A Currie: Gallery (2 items)