Donald French (1909 - 1944)

Born 1909 in Nebraska, United States

Died 19 Jul 1944 at about age 35 in England, United Kingdom

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Biography

S Sergeant Donald French was Killed in plane crash during World War II.

S Sergeant Donald French served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 1939
Unit(s): 84th Service Group, 79th Fighter Group
Service ended: Jul 19, 1944

78th Fighter Group, 8th USAAF in WWII,

84th Svc Sq 79th Svc Gp armyAir Force SSgt, AAF 84th Svc Sq 79th Svc Group, died Jul 19, 1944, The American Air Museum noted 'Award not designated' on 8/21-2019 when I checked the website Buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, England

Donald was a passenger on B-17 "Ready Freddie" when the pilot was given permission to land at Duxford Airfield, in England in order to pick up other passengers. However, the pilot clipped a warning beacon, rolled over on its back, then hit an 83rd Fighter Squadron barrack.; 14 men were killed and two were wounded in this unfortunate non-combat accident. Even though he was interred in England, the Yuma County CO list of veterans who were in WWII lists Donald; however, I been unable to find out how he was connected to the County where I was born. I have also been unable to discover an award to Donald French, but he is certainly buried among the famous Americans who contributed to saving Great Britain during WWII: Two of those are: Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr., brother of our President John F. Kennedy; and Glenn Miller, beloved musician who joined the United States Air Force in 1942, lead the Army Air Force Band and boosted the morale of the troops with his many popular songs before mysteriously disappearing on a flight from England to Paris, France.

Sources

• http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/yuma/military/ww2/ycww2vet.txt

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56289832/donald-french

• http://www.ulongbeach.com/78th_MCAR_Homepage.html

• https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-102937-ready-freddie/

• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRJD-XTS?i=2&cc=1727033&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMLHQ-6WZ

• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R6R-WH?i=12&cc=1488411&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMC2M-1NX

• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RCP-3K8?i=26&cc=1810731&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXQ2F-Q55

• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-9JGN?i=1&cc=2000219&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AK9MR-DT6

• http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/16924