World War II Honoree

Donald A. Engel

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Syracuse, New York

Honored By

Karen Engel Kappesser & Thomas Engel

Relationship

Children

ASSISTANT ENGINEER AND NOSE GUNNER ON A B-24. SERVED WITH THE 5TH ARMY AIR FORCES, 531ST SQUADRON OF THE 380TH BOMB GROUP IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW GUINEA. THE NAMES OF THE TWO AIRCRAFT HE FLEW ON WERE 'HOT ROCKS' AND 'ROBBIEL'. FLEW ON ONE OF THE LONGEST AIR COMBAT MISSIONS OF WWII, FLYING FROM NORTHERN AUSTRALIA TO BALIKPAPAN, BORNEO TO BOMB OIL PRODUCTION FACILITIES. THE MISSION WAS OVER 17 HOURS LONG. BECAUSE HIS CREW FLEW THE OLDER MODEL B-24D AIRCRAFT WITH A LARGER FUEL CAPACITY, HIS PLANE WAS ONE OF ONLY THREE ABLE TO MAKE THE DISTANCE AND DROP BOMBS ON THE TARGET.