Collins, Donald Ivan

Individual Personnel Data
Name Collins, Donald Ivan   ‡
⇗
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 39606925   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #126 dated 23 October 1943, effective 23 October 1943.
Duty Ball Turret Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 3 February 1944
Results Missing In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England: Tablets of the Missing
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 7 September 1917
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #158 dated 1 December 1943.
  • Fell out of the Ball turret over enemy territory, not wearing a parachute, on the 3 February 1944 mission to attack Wilhelmshaven, Germany. No MACR has been found, and the squadron history (microfilm A0641-01419) states 'little is known of the mishap.'
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Herbert, Joseph Robert, Jr⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Farthing, Frank (NMI)⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Meyer, Robert Herman⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Zebrowski, Joseph Anthony⇗BombardierCT
SGT. Carroll, Ralph Gordon⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
SGT. Boone, James Douglas, Jr⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA
S/SGT. Collins, Donald IvanBall Turret GunnerMIA
SGT. Clark, Alfred Albert⇗Tail GunnerCT
PVT. Buckley, Arthur Joseph⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Narog, John (NMI)⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 12 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
36⇗ 16 November 1943 Target: Knaben II Molybdenum Mine
Type: Industry
Location: Knaben, Norway 		Ball Turret 42‑31058⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Ouston (now RA Albemarle Barracks), near Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Sortie Report⇗
37⇗ 26 November 1943 Target: City Center
Type: Non-Military
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
38⇗ 29 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
40⇗ 5 December 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
41⇗ 11 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
42⇗ 13 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑3218⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
43⇗ 16 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Engineer/Top Turret 42‑39784⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
46⇗ 24 December 1943 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Croisette, France 		Ball Turret 42‑31274⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
48⇗ 31 December 1943 Target: Blockade Runner 'Orsone' (name of ship)
Type: Transportation
Location: [Mouth of River Garonne], France 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Thorney Island, West Sussex.
Sortie Report⇗
50⇗ 5 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Ball Turret 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
54⇗ 21 January 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Preuseville, France 		Engineer/Top Turret 42‑39784⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
56⇗ 30 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
57⇗ 3 February 1944 Target: Submarines (under construction)
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑31495⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group.
Sortie Report⇗

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