Donald Emerson
Pembina, ND
Photo courtesy of Sandra Merrill
Donald Emerson 's Medals
 |
 |
 |
| Airmedal |
Distinguished Flying Cross |
Purple Heart |
| (3 Oak Leaf Clusters) |
(1 Oak Leaf Clusters) |
Assigned Aircraft
 |
| AIRCRAFT |
SERIAL NUMBER |
CALL LETTERS |
DATES ASSIGNED |
DESCRIPTION |
DISPOSITION |
| P-51B |
43-6889 |
VF-? |
3/16/44-6/10/44 |
Unk |
MIA 6/10/44 while flown by F. Caple |
 |
| P-51D |
44-13317 |
VF-B |
? |
Fighting Donald Duck in flight gear on left firewall, 6 kill crosses on left cowling | MIA 3/26/45 while flown by H. Davis |
 |
| P-51D |
44-15054 |
VF-D |
11/44-12/25/44 |
olive drab canopy frame, 1 mirror, D-Day stripes under fuselage only, ETO bands throughout |
MIA 12/25/44 while flown by D. Emerson |
Victories
(includes only those while in the 4th FG)
| Date | Enemy A/C | Air/Ground | Place | Number |
 | 3/27/44 | Ju-88 | Ground | Cazaux A/D, Fr. | 0.5 |
| 4/5/44 | Ju-88 | Ground | Stendal A/D, Ger. | 1 |
| 4/18/44 | Me-109 | Ground | Wazendorf A/D, Ger. | 1 |
| 4/22/44 | Me-109 | Air | s/w of Kassel, Ger. | 0.5 |
| 5/29/44 | Me-410 | Air | North of Falkenburg, ? | 0.5 |
| 6/20/44 | FW-190 | Air | south of Anklan, Ger. | 1 |
| 7/2/44 | Me-109 | Air | 10 mi west of Budapest, Hun. | 0.5 |
| 11/18/44 | Me-109 | Ground | Leipheim A/D, Ger. | 1 |
| 12/25/44 | FW-190 | Air | s/w of Koblenz, Ger. | 2 |
| TOTAL VICTORIES |
4TH FG |
| Air |
Ground |
Total |
Air |
Ground |
Total |
| 4.5 |
2.5 |
7 |
4.5 |
2.5 |
7 |
Career Highlights/Lowlights
- March 9, 1944, joined 4th FG
- Prior to August 8, 1944, "A" Flight CO
- August 17, 1944, Squadron Operations Officer
- December 25, 1944, KIA by ground fire after downing two FW-190s in a 6 on 1 dogfight
A PROFILE OF DONALD EMERSON
Written by Sandra Merrill
A TRIBUTE TO DONALD EMERSON
"Sandra Merrill Visits Donald's Gravesite"
Written by Mike Aiello
MORE DONALD EMERSON LINKS
Donald's Story by Sandra Merrill.
An excellent account of Captain Emerson's
life as told by his niece. Includes many photos and stories of a 4th Fighter Group ace.
U.S.A.A.F. Legends
Ron Putz's "Last Christmas".
The Story of Donald Emerson and George Preddy
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