Donald Willis Taylor
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Taylor tragically would be KIA on his son's 1st birthday, 6 March 1944
Taylor Family Archives
Object Number - UPL 30968 - SGT Donald Taylor with his young son, Donald, Jr. Taylor tragically would be KIA on his son's 1st birthday, 6 March 1944
On the return from a mission to Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-37886 'Blitzing Betsy' was severely damaged by attacks from several FW190s causing it to collide with another 388th B-17, exploding in mid-air and crashing near Emmen, Holland. Killed in Action (KIA).
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: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15382852
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11101580 (res 01905896)
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13084696
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O 734468
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O 748677
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 6 March 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Flint, Michigan, USA | 24 July 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
Detroit, MI, USA | 11 October 1942 | |
|
Other 388th BG Combat Tour |
Knettishall, Diss IP22 2TH, UK | 26 November 1943 - 6 March 1944 | Taylor was KIA on this 25th and final mission of his combat tour |
|
Buried |
Flint, MI, USA | Bristol Cemetery Flint Genesee County Michigan, USA Plot: Sec A Lot 23 Grave 06 | |
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
Klazienaveen, Netherlands | 6 March 1944 | After SSGT Brassfield, the tail gunner reported that he had been wounded and couldn't see, Taylor went to the tail to help him. In the meantime the aircraft, on fire and heavily damaged, collided with another 388th BG aircraft, went into a spin and exploded. Taylor and Brassfield were found in the tail section together. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3089 / MACR 3089, Losses of teh 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
