Alexander Donaldson

Military
media-6586.jpeg UPL 6586 Crew of Fort Worth Gal. Sgt. Harry Siders (TG) is on the bottom right. Bottom row second from the left, Alexander Donaldson.

Justin Sturak, grandson-in-law to Alexander Donaldson

Object Number - UPL 6586 - Crew of Fort Worth Gal. Sgt. Harry Siders (TG) is on the bottom right. Bottom row second from the left, Alexander Donaldson.

Alexander Donaldson was a Waist Gunner in the 381st Bomb Group/533rd Bomb Squadron. Shot down on 8th mission 10 September 1944 in B-24 #44-6095 "Fort Worth Gal". Interned at Stalag Luft IV, Gross Tychow (Tychowo) Poland. Prisoner of War (POW) #3207. "In February 1945 when Russian troops were nearing the camp, the Germans forced marched us for about 3 months, for 500 - 600 miles, then turned us over to Patton's 3rd Army near Halle, Germany on 26 April 1945." Awarded the Air Medal and the POW Medal.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19113223
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19089763 at enlistment, then O-555010
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38406212
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19206466 at enlistment, then O-768076
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18042995
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Forth Worth Gal
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

French civillians inspect a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32086) nicknamed "You Never Know" of the 457th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '10/9/44 France.'
  • Date: 10 September 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

5 February 1925 Newell, Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Enlisted

28 January 1943 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Other

captured

10 September 1944 in the Neibsheim / Karlsruhe area, Germany, after the crash of B-24 44-6095

Other

Prisoner of War (POW

10 September 1944 Interned at Stalag Luft 4, Gross Tychow (Tychowo), Poland. NARA WWII POW records : “Returned to Military Control 28 March 1946 (sic)".
Newell, Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft cards
NARA WWII POW records

Date
Contributorstu
Changes
Sources

Justin Sturak grandson-in-law to Alexander Donaldson

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8906 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / self

Alexander Donaldson: Gallery (2 items)