World War II Honoree

Donne Arthur Gantter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Honored By

Larry E. Carpenter

Relationship

Aviation Historian

HE WAS A FLIGHT ENGINEER OF A B-25 ‘MITCHELL’ MEDIUM BOMBER, WHO WAS KILLED DECEMBER 9, 1943 WHEN HE PARACHUTED FROM THE BOMBER DURING A NIGHTTIME TRANSITION-TRAINING MISSION. HE AND THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ATTEMPTED A DUAL PARACHUTE DESCENT WITH ONE PARACHUTE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF BOTH AIRMEN. DUE TO BLIZZARD AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THE AIRCRAFT WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL, AS THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE AN AIRPORT. THE REMAINING CREWMEMBERS SUCCESSFULLY BAILED OUT OF THEIR STRICKEN BOMBER NEAR LA JUNTA, COLORADO.