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John Donaldson [USA]

Name:John Owen Donaldson
Country:United States
Rank:Captain
Service:United States Air Service
Squadrons:32 (RAF)
Victories:7
Born:14 May 1897
Place of Birth:Fort Yates, North Dakota
Died:7 September 1930Killed In Flying Accident
Place of Death:Near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Bar
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
John Donaldson

Notes
On 1 September 1918, Donaldson was captured after he was shot down by Theodor Quandt of Jasta 36. On the following day, he escaped but was recaptured a week later. On 12 September, Donaldson escaped again and eventually made his way to safety in the Netherlands.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
"For gallantry. On 22 July 1918, Lt. Donaldson, when on a patrol, attacked a formation of 20 Fokker biplanes over Mont-Notre-Dame. He singled out one of the hostile machines and engaged it from behind, firing a short burst at close range. The EA side-slipped to the right and then to the left, finally bursting into flames and crashing. On 8 August he engaged five enemy scouts over Licourt. He singled out one and diving on it from behind, opened fire at very close range. The EA immediately went into a straight dive and crashed into the ground between Licourt and Morchain, becoming a total wreck. On 9 August he observed a British machine being attacked by three hostile scouts over Licourt. He immediately flew to the scene of the encounter and engaged one of the EA, firing a long burst at very close range. Almost at once a white stream of escaping petrol was observed and a little later the EA burst into flames. On 25 August he attacked, single handed, four Fokker biplanes over Hancourt, diving into their midst and firing a short burst into one machine at close range. The EA went down in a side-slip dive and having fallen about 2,000 feet the left wing broke off. The pilot descended in a parachute and shortly after leaving the machine the other wing was observed to crumple up. In addition to the above this officer has driven down out of control three enemy machines as follows: 25 July 1918, one Fokker biplane over Fismes; 10 August, one Fokker biplane over Peronne; 29 August, one Fokker biplane over Cambrai. 2nd Lt. Dondaldson also did magnificient work attacking ground targets with machine gun fire and bombs during the recent retreat on the Somme in August. He invariably showed the greatest devotion to duty and gallantry in the face of the enemy." DFC citation, London Gazette

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