Kay, David Eli

Individual Personnel Data
Name Kay, David Eli   ‡
⇗
Rank Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 18160198   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #32 dated 1 February 1943, effective 1 February 1943.
Duty Radio Operator / Gunner
MOS757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF
Last Duty Date 25 July 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 25 July 1943 per General Orders #26, Miami District, AAF Personnel Distribution Command dated 6 September 1945.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 12 February 1924
  • Ordered to attend Gunnery School at Snettisham, Norfolk, for approximately 10 days beginning on or about 30 May 1943, on SO #21 dated 30 May 1943. Students are required to bring .50 cal. Ammunition, gas mask, steel helmet, mess equipment, blankets, clothing for ten days, and draw 'PX rations' in advance.
Related Documents Post Loss Document File #8⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Halseth, Edwin Scofield⇗PilotPOW
2nd Lt. Fabian, Stephen Ralph⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. McGeehan, William F⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Deignan, Charles Joseph⇗BombardierPOW
S/SGT. Kay, David EliRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Burnes, Robert Oliver⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Delmonte, Frank L⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Bagdis, John Stanley⇗Tail GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Pollard, Walter Maxwell⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
SGT. Forster, August Richard⇗Flexible GunnerTR

Crew History

The Halseth Crew joined the 544th BS at Wendover on 1 February 1943. Identified as "Crew #1" on the assignment order, they became the first "Crew #42" in the squadron.

Before moving to England, Forster was replaced by S/Sgt Donald A Rutan. Co-pilot Fabian was shot down while flying with the John R Way crew on his first mission - he had been bumped from the Halseth Crew because the Squadron CO, Maj Nuttall, had chosen to fly with Halseth (who aborted because they lost the formation in weather). The remaining crew members were lost on 25 July 1943. All members of this crew became POWs, except for Forster, whose disposition is not known.
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 3 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
2⇗ 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑30039⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High Squadron lead. Returned to base due to weather conditions; pilot was unable to maintain contact with the formation.
Sortie Report⇗
3⇗ 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Radio Operator 42‑30039⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
4⇗ 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France 		Radio Operator 42‑30142⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back with problems in #1 and #2 engines.
Sortie Report⇗
5⇗ 29 June 1943 Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France 		Radio Operator 42‑5849⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to #1 engine failure.
Sortie Report⇗
6⇗ 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France 		Radio Operator 42‑30039⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back when pilot became ill.
Sortie Report⇗
7⇗ 10 July 1943 Target: Drucat Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Abbeville, France 		Radio Operator 42‑30039⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Lead Group. Turned back because #2 engine began to 'miss and vibrate' so it was feathered.
Sortie Report⇗
9⇗ 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway 		Radio Operator 42‑30039⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
10⇗ 25 July 1943 Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑3069⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Disabled by enemy action over target; details unknown; crashed in Hamburg, Germany area. No MACR
Sortie Report⇗

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