Donald E. Penrod
SGT Donald E. Penrod
778 Bomb SQ
- 464 Bomb GP (H)
June 6, 1921 - May 10, 1944
Donald Eugene Penrod was the second child of Clair Hinkle and Alta L. (Thorp) Penrod. Donald had a sister, Jennie, who was four years older and a brother, Robert, who was five years younger. Records indicate that the family lived in both Haggard and Hess, Gray County, KS. He is buried at: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France. He was awarded both the Air Medal and Purple Heart. (We have very limited information about this veteran. Any assistance you can provide, especially a photograph or additional details, would be greatly appreciated.)
In 1940, according to the Census, Donald was in his third year of high school and was still living in Hess, in the same house that he lived in, in 1935. The Census indicated the total number of households in Hess were 92.
On 10 May 1944, SGT Donald Eugene Penrod was on the crew of the B-24 Liberator, #42-64441 “Cherry”, when they departed from their base in Italy during a mission to Weiner Neustadt, Germany. They were badly damaged by flak over Austria. Seven of the crew parachuted out before their bomber blew up in mid-air killing the 4 crew members remaining.
The four casualties related to the #42-64441 incident on 10 May 1944, are:
Eric L Brett – Navigator
Robert C Munson – Co-Pilot
Donald E Penrod – Gunner
Lawrence J Wygal – Pilot
A BRIEF REVIEW OF The 778th Bombardment Sq - 464 Bomb Gp
The 778th Bombardment Squadron, part of the 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy), played a significant role in the U.S. Army Air Forces’ strategic bombing campaign during World War II. Operating under the Fifteenth Air Force, the squadron was instrumental in disrupting Axis military and industrial capabilities across Europe.
Formation and Training
Activated on August 1, 1943, at Wendover Field, Utah, the 778th Bomb Squadron trained with B-24 Liberators under the Second Air Force. After initial training phases in Idaho and Utah, the squadron moved to the Mediterranean Theater in early 1944. The air echelon trained briefly in Tunisia before joining the rest of the group in Italy, entering combat in April 1944.
Combat Operations
From April 1944 to May 1945, the 778th conducted long-range strategic bombing missions targeting enemy military, industrial, and transportation infrastructure. Key targets included marshalling yards, oil refineries, aircraft factories, and chemical plants across Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
Notable missions include: 464th Bombardment Group
Vienna, Austria (July 8, 1944): The squadron led the 55th Bombardment Wing through heavy opposition to bomb marshalling yards and an oil refinery, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Pardubice, Czechoslovakia (August 24, 1944): Successfully targeted an oil refinery and nearby railroad tracks, resulting in another DUC.
In addition to strategic bombing, the 778th supported various operations:
Operation Dragoon (August 1944): Assisted in the invasion of Southern France.
Eastern Front Support (March 1945): Bombed railroad centers to aid the advance of Soviet troops in southeastern Europe.
Northern Italy Campaign (April 1945): Targeted enemy supply lines to support the U.S. Fifth and British Eighth Armies.([464th Bombardment Group][1])
Following Victory in Europe Day, the 778th was assigned to the “Green Project,” facilitating the movement of troops from Europe to the United States via the South Atlantic Transport Route. B-24s were modified for personnel transport, operating from Waller Field, Trinidad, until the squadron’s inactivation on July 31, 1945.