Donald Morris was born on November 9, 1922, and was from Columbus, Ohio. He served as the Assistant Radio Operator on the B-24D Liberator (42-40105) “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” On November 11, 1943, the aircraft, piloted by 1st Lt. McCollum, participated in a 32-plane mission to bomb the ball-bearing factory in Annecy, France. The mission was flown by the 344th Bomb Squadron “Pyramiders” of the 98th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, operating out of Enfidaville Airfield in Tunisia.

During the return flight, the aircraft experienced mechanical failure and dropped out of formation, making it vulnerable to enemy attack. It was subsequently intercepted and shot down by seven fighters from Jagdgruppe (JG) 77. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, resulting in multiple fatalities. Some crew members managed to parachute to safety, while the plane ultimately crashed on Monte Rucustun (Località Rucustun) near Andonno, Italy. Four crewmen were killed in action; one was wounded and taken prisoner; and five evaded capture for about three weeks with the help of Aldo Quaranta’s Partisan Brigades before returning to duty via Switzerland. According to Missing Aircraft Report (MACR) 1197, Donald Morris was among those killed in the crash.