FRE 831
IMAGEStaff Sergeant Donald W. Crossley, a tail gunner of the 95th Bomb Group, at his position with the rear machine guns on a B-17 Flying Fortress. A stylised B-17 Flying Fortress is drawn on the back of his jacket. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 21 Sept 1943.' [stamp], 'Associated Press.' [stamp] and '284533.' [Censor no] Printed caption on reverse: 'AWARDS TO THE HIGH-SCORING GUNNER. The Distinguished Flying Cross and an oak leaf cluster- the equivalent of two D.F.C's- have been award simultaneously to S/Sgt Donald W. Crossley, 25, of Wellsburg, W.VA., U.S. 8th Air Force tail gunner. Crossley, the highest scoring aerial gunner in the ETO, has shot down 12 German planes in 23 heavy bomber missions. The possessor of the Air Medal and the Oak Leaf Clusters, Crossley added a second cluster to his new DFC within a few days when his twelfth "kill" was confirmed. With shooting as a hobby in his off time from his pre-war job with the Follansbee Steel Company in Follansbee W. Va. ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO SHOWS: Gunner Crossley and his "tools".
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 95th Bomb Group 334th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15107390
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner