Date: 25th December 1944.
Unit: 4th FG, 336th FS, 8th U.S.A.A.F.
Type: P-51D.
Serial: 44-15054.
Coded: VF-D
Location: Duustergats-Lahrweg (kolleberg) Sittard - Holland
Pilot: Capt. Donald R Emerson. U.S.A.A.F. 0-813134. Age 21. Killed.
REASON FOR LOSS:
On Christmas day 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, Capt. Donald Emerson was heading back to base after a mission when he encountered 6 FW190s, in combat he managed to shoot down 2 of them, but as he crossed enemy lines flying close to the ground he was struck by flak. His aircraft crashed in British-occupied territory in Belgium. He was buried the next day at Margraten, Holland.
Capt. Donald R Emerson. Donald's girlfriend, Elinor Lindemann.
P51D 44-15054 (Courtesy Mike Harrison)
Left: Memorial (Courtesy Michel Beckers) Right: Margraten Cemetery, Netherlands.
BURIAL DETAILS:
Capt. Donald R Emerson. U.S.A.A.F. 0-813134. Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten. Plot B. Row 15. Grave 21. Please also click "here"
(Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.)
