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Personal info

Full name
JONES, Donald J
Date of birth
10 January 1924
Age
21
Place of birth
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Perrysville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
O-833757
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Co-Pilot
Unit
600th Bombardment Squadron,
398th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
10 April 1945
Place of death
Over Oranienburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 25 6

Immediate family

Members
John A. Jones (father)
Catherine F. Jones (mother)
William J. Jones (brother)
Kathryn Jones (sister)
Bettemae Jones (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38853
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Oranienburg, Germany
Mission: Operational Bombing
MACR: 13867

More information

2nd Lt Donald J. Jones graduated from Central Catholic High School in June 1941. He attended Marquette University before he joined the Air Force in December 1942.

1st Lt. Arthur C. Watson Jr. states in the Missing Aircrew Report:
"During bomb run while on combat mission to Oranienburg, Germany 10 April 1945, I looked around to see where Lt. Mc Afee was and I saw what I thought was a flak burst between his no. 3 and 4 engines. While looking at his ship this time, just after the hit, I saw him pull up slowly while dropping back and dropping his bombs at the same time. His ship appeared to be under control at this time, while dropping back, and I soon lost sight of him. Then I looked around for flak but saw none. Then my crewmember were firing and I saw a jet M.E. 262, I think come on in and peel off just off our left wing."

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, National WWII Memorial, Footnote

Photo source: Jac Engels, Michel Beckers/Geoff Rice 398th Web Team, The Pittsburgh Press - 26 April 1946