World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Donald L. Hansen
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Spokane County, Washington
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 21 SEPTEMBER 1942 AT SPOKANE, WASHINGTON. SERVED AS AN AERIAL GUNNER ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 94TH COMBAT WING, 351ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 510TH BOMB SQUADRON (RADIO CALL SIGN TIPSTAFF), AT ROYAL AIR FORCE POLEBROOK (USAAF STATION # 110), LOCATED ON THE ROTHSCHILD COUNTRY ESTATE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND. ON TUESDAY 11 JANUARY 1944, WHILE FLYING IN THE TOP TURRET GUNNER POSITION ON HIS 70TH COMBAT MISSION ABOARD THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS AIRCRAFT TAIL # 42-31481, HE WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. THEY WERE ON A BOMB RUN TO AN AIRCRAFT FACTORY IN OSCHERSLEBEN, GERMANY. HE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN STALAG LUFT 3 SAGAN-SILESIA BAVARIA.