Donald Allen Walter
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 21 August 1942, Second Lieutenant Donald Allen Walter was serving as Co-Pilot of B-17E Flying Fortress Bomber (SN 41-9089) nicknamed 'Johnny Reb,' in the 414th Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Walter’s unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets at the Rotterdam shipyards in the Netherlands. 2LT Walter’s B-17 bomber was part of a large formation that was attacked by 20 to 30 German Fw190 fighters at an altitude of approximately 21,000 feet. Despite the German's overwhelming numerical superiority, 2LT Walter displayed great courage and skill under fire. 2LT Walter was mortally wounded and died before his aircraft could be landed at at Horsham St Faith in Norfolk, England. 2LT Walter’s calmness under fire greatly contributed to the successful completion of the mission. 2LT Walter’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

2LT Walter was the 1st Killed in Action (KIA) for VIII Bomber Command.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Allen Walter (ASN: 0-437895), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving in a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 414th Bombardment Squadron, 97th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 21 August 1942, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. Lieutenant Walter was Co-Pilot of a B-17E bomber flying as part of a formation on a bombardment mission when his airplane was attacked by twenty to thirty enemy fighters at an altitude of approximately 21,000 feet. Despite overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Walter displayed great courage and skill under fire with utter disregard for personal danger. He was mortally wounded and died before his aircraft could be landed at a friendly airdrome. His courage and coolness under fire greatly contributed to the successful completion of the mission. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Walter on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 30 (1942)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Donald Allen Walter is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, in Plot F, Row 1, Grave 82.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56295304/donald-a-walter