Name:
Donald H. "Mac" McAuley
Rank:
Major
Serial Number:
O-428836
Unit:
55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group
Date of Death:
1944-04-23
State:
California
Cemetery:
Epinal American Cemetery, Epinal, France
Plot:
B
Row:
21
Grave:
8
Decoration:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Hear
Comments:
Major Donald H. McAuley was piloting the P-38 Lightning 42-67949 “Li’l Henry” when he flew from Station 368 in the UK to Chateaudun on a bombing mission. After successfully strafing the airfield there, the intense flak barrage caught Maj McAuley’s plane, forcing him to jump. The rough exit from his disintegrating aircraft pinned his lifeboat under him, making the troops on the ground believe two pilots had ejected. He was captured upon reaching the ground, but died of his wounds shortly thereafter.