William H. MacDonald Jr.

born: 1916 in New Jersey.

He enlisted (ASN: 12046412) in the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet on 7 January 1942 at New York City, New York.

Completed aerial bombardier training and was commissioned (ASN: O-731402 ) a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

Underwent B-17 combat crew training with the 335th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, from 17 December 1942 to 11 March 1943. The air echelon moved to Kearney Field in Nebraska for final processing prior to overseas duty.

In early April 1943: taking the southern route, via Florida, Trinidad, Brazil, Dakar, and Marrakesh; the 95th Bomb Group deployed to the European Theatre of Operations (ETO), arriving on 12 May 1943 at RAF Framlingham (USAAF Station #153) in Suffolk, England; and were assigned to the 13th Combat Wing of the 8th Air Force.

On 13 June 1943, Lt. MacDonald flew as the Bombardier aboard a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress serial number 42-29763 (tail code: OE:X) from RAF Horham (USAAF Station #119) to bombard the U-boat submarine yards at Kiel, Germany.

On this mission (#9), a great deal of enemy opposition was encountered (…over 100 enemy aircraft) causing his B-17 along with 9 other bombers from the 95th Bomb Group to be lost. His aircraft was last sighted between 34° to 55° North and 08° to 10° East. No chutes were seen to leave the aircraft.

Declared KIA: 13 June 1943

William H Mac Donald Jr