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Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland

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Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland

5-4-1945,time,14.40,crashed;Asch-Gelderland,Holland,P-51K,44-11759,355 FG/354 FS,2/Lt.R.G.McDonnel
 
When you have more info,please requist,
 
regards Jaap
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    drgondog
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    RE: Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    2Lt Robert Gerry McDonnell was returning from an emergency field after a Ramrod to Eger, Czechoslovakia.  He was flying WR-J 44-11759 'My Baby Doll' and strayed too close to Buren. 
     
    He was hit over the town and, according to eyewitness, did not bail out because of the town below him - instead maneuvered his Mustang toward a wooded area where he lost control and crashed.
     
    The crash site was 'De Strooppot' near Asch.  The Gerry McDonnell Tulip was named and raised by Firma Van den Berg - Hytuna at Anna Paulowna.
     
    HRH Prince Bernard is a 'Patron of the 355th Fighter Group'.
     
    Gerry McDonnell's remains were returned to High Springs, Florida in 1946
     
    Hope this helps
     
    Regards,
     
    Bill
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    PJP51
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    RE: Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    Jaap,
     
    It seems I'm always seeing your entries when in Belgium....A long time ago the information with a newspaper article on naming the tulip after McDonnel was sent to me by a Vet...I hope I can find it in the mess of paperwork when I'm home again !
     
    Gr.
     
    Paul

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    airwar
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    RE: Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    Hello Bill and Paul,
     
    Thanks for your info.Paul you better can living in Belgium,the tax is there cheaper,
     
    regards / groeten , Jaap
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    drgondog
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    RE: Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    Gentlemen - I'm pretty sure McDonnell has 2 "l's"... that is the way it is spelled in the 354FS Unit History and the 355th Honor Roll.
     
    Regards
     
    Bill
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    airwar
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    RE: Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    Thanks Bill,I will send this info to Frans for our Crashlog of the SGLO.
     
    Regards Jaap
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    cruddlyj
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    Re:Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    airwar

    5-4-1945,time,14.40,crashed;Asch-Gelderland,Holland,P-51K,44-11759,355 FG/354 FS,2/Lt.R.G.McDonnel

    When you have more info,please requist,

    regards Jaap


    Greetings!  My name is Durward McDonell, and I am Jerry McDonell's nephew; I was born in Sept. 1944 and have a picture of him holding me on his last furlough to the States.  What a thrill it is to see that he is remembered, and to know the circumstances of his death.  We knew he had been shot down, but didn't know the particulars - esp. his last-second heroism in sacrificing himself to avoid a populated area.  Wow. 
    For the record: the name is McDonell - one "n," two "l"s.  Believe me, the stories of misspellings of that name are numerous and mostly humorous. 
    Also for the record:  I have a lovely watercolor of the McDonell tulip done by the very talented wife of a surviving member of the 355th.  Don't remember her name off the top of my head, nor do I have her contact info at hand; but a Google of "McDonell tulip" was how I found her.  My surviving uncle, Col. Roger W. McDonell, USAF ret., tried several times to grow them, but even North Florida is too far south, sadly.  The 355th memorial in England is planted in those tulips, as you may know. 
    Should you or others on this (old) thread be interested, I have newspaper articles, his MIA letter and followup, and several pics, plus much info on what a wonderful guy he was.  My Dad, a Methodist minister, always said that Jerry would have been a minister had he survived the War. 
    Peace and joy,
    Durward McDonell
    Tampa, FL  USA
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    drgondog
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    Re:Lt.McDonnel crash in Holland (permalink)
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    Durwood - if you can, please send me a PM with your email address. I am not sure what I have but will send you images and/or info.

    If your pic of him is different I woul like to have it for the 355 Honor Roll in my new book.

    Regards,

    Bill
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