Donald James Weber was born on April 5, 1921. He was the son of Jean S. Weber. he served in the 553rd Bomber Squadron, 386th Bomber Group, Medium, as a Staff Sergeant and Rear Gunner on the B26 #42-96116 AN*A during World War II.
On June 11, 1944, their plane took off from Station 164 in Great Dunmow (Little Easton), England on a mission to Gennevilliers, France. The plane was shot down by flak at 0932 yet the plane was completely evacuated. Their plane crashed towards Les Mureaux exploded and burned completely. 4 of the members were taken as prisoners, 1 escaped, and only SSgt Weber was killed. SSgt Weber was injured by the flak. He was able to jump, but it seems his parachute did not open. His body was found near Pontoise, France.
SSgt Weber is now buried in the All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, USA. His name is commemorated on a monument located at Great Dunmow, England but his surname is spelled 'Webber'.
B26 #42-96116 aircrew:
1Lt Wesley Greer Ling - Pilot
1Lt Francis James McShea - Co-Pilot
1Lt Alfred Mathew Robinson, Jr. - Navigator/Bombardier
T/Sgt Frank Garland Coon - Radio Operator/Machine Gunner
S/Sgt Jessie Milton Hartman - Mechanic/Machine Gunner
S/Sgt Donald James Weber - Rear Gunner
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net