World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Donald R. Emerson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Pembina, North Dakota
Honored By
Bart Moonen
HE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN 1942, AGED 19. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 336TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 4TH FIGHTER GROUP, 8TH ARMY AIR FORCE AND SAILED FOR EUROPE IN JANUARY 1944. RETURNING FROM AN ESCORT MISSION TO KASSEL ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1944, HE ENCOUNTERED SIX ENEMY FW190S. WITH HIS P51D MUSTANG HE MANAGED TO SHOOT DOWN TWO FIGHTERS BEFORE BEING HIT BY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE. HE CRASHED IN BRITISH OCCUPIED TERRITORY ON THE KOLLENBERG HILL, NEAR SITTARD IN HOLLAND. HE DIED IN THE CRASH AGED 21. HE LIES BURIED AT NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY IN MARGRATEN.