Donald M. Goodfleisch (Daily White 1)

Enlistment and career

Enlisted 16th October 1940 at Kent, Ohio. Service Numbers: 15014966 / O-659295.

Career

First operational mission 31st May 1943

Promoted to 1st Lt and A flight commander 27th July 1943

Captain, A flight commander 24th September 1943

Assigned to 63rd squadron 19th January 1944

Promoted to Major the 26th June 1944. 

63rd squadron commander from the 25th May to 17th July 1944.

His last flight was the 16th July 1944 (the day after Robert Jenkins crashed). As of the 16th July he had totalised 300.25 hours and 107 missions. He left 63rd squadron on the 12th September 1944.

Donald Goodfleisch also served In Korea and Vietnam he was honourably discharged 30th September 1969.

Awards: 

Air medal 20th July 1943

Air medal oak leaf cluster 9th August 1943

Air medal second oak leaf cluster

Air medal third oak leaf cluster

Distinguished Flying Cross 29th October 1943

Distinguished Flying Cross oak leaf cluster

Distinguished Flying Cross second oak leaf cluster 22nd August 1944

WWII Victory

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

Aircraft flown

P47-D-1-RE N° 42-7878, each of his aircraft were named 'Li'L Goody'. This aircraft had a forced landing 14th October 1943 near Doddington, UK piloted by Russel B. Westfall.

P-47D-10-RE N° 42-75206 was assigned to Robert Magel after Donald Goodfleisch. Magel bailed out during a dive-bombing attck on railway marshalling yards at Albert, France and was taken prisoner on the 7th August 1944.

P-47D-25-RE N° 42-26524 was assigned to Joseph Egan after Goodfleisch's last mission on the 16th July 1944. Egan was killed in this same aircraft on the 19th July 1944.

Victories

26th June 1943, one Focke Wulf FW190 probably destroyed

17th August 1943, one Messerschmitt ME110 damaged

3rd September 1943 , one Focke Wulf FW190 destroyed

4th October 1943, one Focke Wulf FW190 destroyed