Darell Marvin Dustman was born on August 23, 1922, in Deweyville, Box Elder County, Utah.
His father was Marvin Franklin Dustman (b abt 1900, d 20 Nov 1962). His mother was Lottie Marie (Deem) Dustman (5 Oct 1902 - 9 Feb 2002). He completed four years of high school, and worked in a semiskilled construction occupation.
He was single at the time he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Salt Lake City, Utah, on 22 December 1942. After he enlisted, and before he went overseas, he married Marjorie Hunsaker.
After training, he was assigned as flight engineer and aerial gunner on the heavy bomber crew of 2nd Lt Everitt F. Goethe, in the 837th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group at Lavenham, England. His unit was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
On May 20, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group took off from Lavenham Airfield to bomb a target at Liege, Belgium. Visibility was poor due to fog. Lt Goethe's crew took off in B-24H 42-52743. The aircraft lost its number two engine soon after takeoff, and Lt Goethe was unable to climb or maintain altitude. The aircraft crashed and burned near Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk, England. S/Sgt Dustman and five members of his crew were killed in the crash. Four men survived. S/Sgt Dustman's remains were returned to the United States after the war and reinterred at Deweyville Cemetery, Deweyville, Utah.
B-24H 42-52743 crew:
• Goethe, Everitt F – 2/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carmen, Earnest T – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Moentenich, Louis P – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Hartley, James W – 2/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Dustman, Darell M – S/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Allen, Stanley M – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Shackleford, James L – Sgt – Nose Turret Gunner – KIA
• Puglia, Joseph J – Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – Safe
• Vukomanovich, Ned – Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
• Jeffries, William – Sgt – Tail Gunner – Safe
Source of information: Paul M. Webber, www.findagrave.com