2024 MEMBERSHIP
 JOIN OR RENEW NOW
 MEMBER APPLICATION FORM

Rutan, Donald Alson

Individual Personnel Data
Name Rutan, Donald Alson   
Rank Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 32369888   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 544th Bomb Squadron February 1943 Payroll Roster, effective 28 February 1943.
Duty Flexible Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 25 July 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 5 May 1919
  • 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




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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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
Tail Gunner 42‑30039 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
10 25 July 1943 Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 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

Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.