Donald H. Kennedy was born on November 12, 1922, in Wisconsin. He was the son of Harry B. Kennedy and Veda Kennedy. He was the husband of Virginia M. Kennedy. He served in the 344th Bomber Squadron, 98th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Engineer of B-24 #42-73416 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, the aircraft participated in a bombing raid over Wiener Neustadt, Austria, a key center for German military aircraft production during World War II. While carrying out the mission, the B-24 came under enemy attack and was shot down over Austrian territory. It eventually crashed near the town of Fischbach, located in the state of Styria (Steiermark). Four crew members lost their lives in the crash, while the others survived and were taken prisoner by German forces.

TSgt Kennedy was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow in Pomerania, Prussia. He died on March 5, 1995, and is now buried in the Eastlawn Cemetery, Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Source of information: mail.aviation-safety.net, www.findagrave.com, aad.archives.gov