Donald Alfred Kind

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Shot down 15 May 1943 in B-17 #42-29744. Plane crashed into North Sea. Killed in Action (KIA).

The following was added to his biography on this site in September 2014 and is partially wrong : "He was not an American citizen, he was British, born in what was then Southern Rhodesia. When the war started in Europe he was working in [his nephew believes to be] New Mexico in a timber exporting company. The story his nephew was told, he applied to join the British forces his job was considered to be more beneficial to the war effort than his volunteering for service, so he was requested to stay where he was. After Pearl Harbor he volunteered in the US and was eventually posted to Britain." Research in December 2020 by ED-BB : In fact, as confirmed in his 1941 Draft registration card, Donald Alfred Kind was born in Pangbourne, England, and was 21 when he was registered in 1941 by the Local Draft Board in St Tammany Parish, Covington, Louisiana. He was then employed by the R.W. Hillcoat Co. of New Orleans, LA, active in the export lumber trade. His WWII Enlistment record at NARA mentions that he was not yet a citizen at the time of his enlistment in New Orleans on 11 July 1942. After training as an aerial gunner, he was sent to England and assigned to the 306th Bomb Group/367th Bomb Squadron as Ball Turret gunner. He was KIA on his second mission 15 May 1943. Killed In Action (KIA).

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 07002327
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-000085
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17042780 at enlistment, then O-729813
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16037798
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39095792
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Battling Bee
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Pangbourne, England 21 July 1920

Enlisted

11 July 1942 New Orleans, Louisiana (not yet a citizen)

Other

Killed In Action (KIA)

15 May 1943 in the loss of B-17 ≠42-29744 near Cuxhaven, Germany

Buried

19 May 1943 at the Brockeswalden cemetery in Cuxhaven, Germany
Slidell, St Tammany Parish, Covington, Louisiana

Buried

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial after the war, his remains were brought to Neupré, Belgium, where he rests at Plot D, Row 9, Grave 14

Revisions

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

Added ACM and EAME Campaign Medal with one bronze service star.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56359148/donald-a-kind

Date
ContributorMatt Kind
Changes
Sources

Great Uncle Donald Kind from family album. Posted by Matt Kind

Date
ContributorMatt Kind
Changes
Sources

Picture of Great Uncle Donald Kind from our family album.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Corrected previous data in Biography
WWII Draft card
NARA WWII Enlistment records

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 15512
NARA WWII Enlistment record
ABMC website

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

WWII Draft card

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

WWII Draft card

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 15512

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15512 / MACR 15512, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey, p. 122 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database