Don M. Yancey
Service #: T-186492
Rank: Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces
Unit: 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bombardment Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Arizona
Date of Death: 18 August 1943, when the B-25 plane he was the co-pilot of, ditched into the sea after being hit by machinegun fire from Japanese fighters about 2 km off shore and off the west end of Dagua Airfield (But East), on the north coast of New Guinea (now part of Wewak District, East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea).
Status: Missing in Action, Lost at Sea
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
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*Dunnington Maurice Yancey was the the son of Don N. "Donnie" Napoleon Yancey (1893-1931) and Louise M. Bailey (1898-1970). His father was manager of an auto parts department when he was born. Don was the oldest of eight children.
*name on his birth certificate
1930 United States Federal Census (02 April 1930): Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 2A, family 39, 703 South Primrose) – Don M. Yancey (11 Texas).
CADET OFFICERS OF BYRD R. O. T. C. UNIT ANNOUNCED
List of Appointments Made Public by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman.
Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers of the Junior R. O. T. C. unit in the Shreveport high schools were announced today in General Order No. 1, issued by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman, professor of military science and tactics at the schools. Sgt. Charles C. King is the instructor at Byrd high. The promotions were effective as of September 28.
The list of appointments follows: ... Company A ... Corporals ... Don Maurice Yancey ... Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Thursday, 01 October 1936, page 4.
Don Maurice Yancey graduated from Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana in May 1937.
1940 United States Federal Census (13 April 1940): Shreveport, (Ward 4), Caddo Parish, Louisiana (sheet 10B, household 263, Marshall Street) – Don Yancey (21 Texas, Ambulance Driver, Funeral Home). He had lived in the same place in 1935. Don was a lodger in the Lester F. Hammer (34 Illinois, Funeral Director and Embalmer, Funeral Home) home. He had completed four years of high school.
Don Maurice Yancey (21, 02 January 1919, Wichita Falls, Texas), a resident of 1809 Marshall, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 639, Order No. 5805) on 16 October 1940 at Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He was employed by Rose - Neath Funeral Home, L. B. Kilpatrick. His home address was also his work address. Don listed his friend, Mr. Lester Hammer, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 9½" in height, 143 lbs., with a dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes.
He attended Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport for one year. Don took his initial flight training at the Shreveport municipal airport.
Shreveporter Is One of Four Enlisting in Army
Don M. Yancey of Shreveport was one of four men who enlisted yesterday for regular army assignments at the local army recruiting office. Yancey and Henry E. Guimbeliot of Winnsboro enlisted for air corps duty at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi... Source: The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), Wednesday, 17 September 1941, page 12.
He enlisted at Barksdale Field and qualified as a cadet.
Don M. Yancey (1919 Texas), a resident of Caddo County, Louisiana, reenlisted as a Staff Sergeant (S/N 4060734) in the Army Air Corps on 05 August 1942 at Napier Field, Dothan County, Alabama. His enlistment was for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as "attendants, professional and personal service, n.e.c."
Don graduated from the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama on 04 August 1942 as a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of the B-25. He was sent to Greenville Army Air Base in Greenville, South Carolina for additional training.
August 1942
Staff Sergeants Go Up In Planes
Flying Rank For Non-Commissioned Officers Arranged
If you see a clean-cut young soldier in Greenville, wearing a staff sergeant's chevrons and a pair of silver wings, it will pay you to take a second look.
He is probably on of 15 flying non-commissioned officers assigned to the Greenville Army Air Base – with a rank so new as to be almost unique in the Army Air Corps. In fact the flying sergeant you see is from the first group to graduate from a southeast air force training center.
He may be Staff Sgt. William F. Stewart, M. H. Campbell or Don M. Yancey or any one of 12 others. He may speak with a western twang, a southern drawl or in the clipped accents of a northerner.
ARE REAL FLIERS
Whatever he is, he can perform tricks with a plane. He can take it up and bring it down, and he knows what to do with it when the plane is climbing. like a homesick angel, high into the airways. He's a pilot in his own right, and he's learning at the Greenville base the important role he and other pilots will play in settling scores overseas.
All of the flying non-coms are recent graduates of the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama. There they took the same rigorous courses as aviation cadets, drilled beside them, flew beside them, and graduated in the same class with them.
Today they are entitled to staff sergeants pay plus an additional half of that for flight pay. And they are eligible for promotion to the grades of technical sergeant pilot, master sergeant pilot, the newly created grade of flight officer, and perhaps eventually higher.
All of them have come up from the ranks of enlisted men. To get the coveted opportunity to fly, they had to show marked ability, leadership, and mechanical aptitude and pass the stringent physical and mental tests which insure the United States the best air force in the world.
Not only can they fly but many of them can service their own planes, if need be, with a proficiency gained only through long practice. Many of them attended air corps technical schools, for enlisted men, in radio, mechanics, armament, etc., prior to taking flight training.
They're a modest unassuming bunch of fellows. Get them together and they start taking about planes and maybe "the girl back home." "What's there to write about me?" one of them asked.
The boys average only slightly over 21 years – the oldest is 23 and the youngest 19 with only the faintest peach down on his face to qualify as whiskers. And, a hint to the wise, girls, they're single to a man.
HERE THEY ARE
Meet each of them personally: ... DON M. YANCEY, 23, calls Phoenix, Arizona, home. He attended Centenary college, Shreveport; and worked as a funeral director before getting into the service... Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) Sunday, 16 August 1942, page 6.
Don married Lois Catherine McCuen on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1942 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Boyce Harold McCuen and Jessie Jane Garrison. She was a gifted piano player and teacher.
McCUEN-YANCEY – Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen announce the marriage of their daughter, Lois Catherine, to Don Maurice Yancey, Flight Officer, United States Army Air Forces, on Thursday, the 24th of December, 1942, Greenville, South Carolina. The wedding took place in the chapel of the First Presbyterian church, with Dr. Charles H. Nabers officiating. The couple was attended by Flight Officer and Mrs. D. T. Knight, Jr., of Joplin, Missouri. Mrs. Yancy is descended from the Rasor, Garrison and McCuen families of Greenville and Anderson counties. She is a graduate of Parker high school. Flight Officer Yancey is the son of Mrs. D. N. Yancey and the late Mr. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona. He was educated in the schools of Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Centenary college. Before entering the service, he was connected with Rose-Heath Funeral home in Shreveport. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 17 January 1943, page 15.
Our Fighting Men
ASSIGNMENTS: Don M. Yancey , son of Mrs. L. B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, is now flight officer at the Greenville, South Carolina army air base. He was married Christmas Eve. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Sunday, 10 January 1943, page 3.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey was sent to the Southwest Pacific in December 1942. He was assigned to 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bomber Group, Medium and based at Durand Airfield (17 Mile Drome), near Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were flying new B-25D aircraft.
By August 1943, the Fifth Air Force was supporting the Allies' strategic plan of advance toward the Philippines along the north coast of New Guinea. Its next stage, scheduled for early September, was the seizure of the Japanese base at Lae. The immediate goal of the Fifth Air Force was the neutralization of Japanese airpower concentrated at Wewak, some 300 miles west of Lae. Wewak and its satellite fields at But, Boram, and Dagua, based more than 100 bombers and about 90 fighters. The 500+-mile flight to Wewak was the deepest penetration into Japanese-held territory yet made by medium bombers.
August 1943
Flight Officer, Don M. Yancey was the co-pilot on B-25D-5 Mitchell Serial Number 41-30117 (with call sign KF24A), a twin-engine, medium-range bomber. On 18 August 1943 they took off from 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 0630 to lead a flight of nine B-25 Mitchells from the 405th Bombardment Squadron on a bombing and strafing mission against the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, about 18 miles west of Wewak. Joining the five American crew on board was an observer from the Australian Army, 1st Australian Air Liaison Group, was Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie. Their bomber was loaded with 12 3-bomb clusters of 23-pound "para-frag" bombs, which they would drop on Dagua.
Dagua Airfield had been built by the Japanese in 1943 and was a base for their bomber and fighter planes. Dagua Airfield was an important Japanese airfield for missions against Allied targets.
Two miles from the target, their B-25 was intercepted by numerous Japanese Zeros and the right engine was hit. The wing burst into flames and the plane began losing power as black smoke poured from the engine nacelle and wing. Despite being damaged, Pilot, Major Ralph Cheli continued to lead the formation to the target. From a minimum altitude (150 feet), their squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the airfield. Afterwards the plane turned out to sea where it crash landed in flames at roughly 9:15 a.m about a mile off the west end of Dagua Airfield.
Statement from Japanese Captain Okada Takakazu: "Aircraft forced down on water near East But Aerodrome [Dagua] about 2 km out from the shore and opposite Dagua air strip. Plane blew up and sank."
The crew of B-25 (41-30117):
Pilot: Major Ralph Cheli, S/N O-399830 38th Group Deputy Commander and former Commanding Officer of the 405th Bombardment Squadron (POW, died 06 March 1944) San Francisco, California – Awarded the Medal of Honor
Co-Pilot: Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, S/N T-186492 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Texas
Navigator: 1st Lt. Vincent A. Raney, S/N O-437474 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Ohio
Radio: T/Sgt. Raymond C. Warren, S/N: 15088088 (POW/MIA) West Virginia
Gunner: S/Sgt Clinton H. Murphree, S/N 6282173 (POW/MIA) Oklahoma
Observer: Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie S/N NX42188, Australian Army, Australian Air Liaison Group (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Bellevue Hill, Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16528
According post-war reports, Co-Pilot Don Yancy, Navigator Vincent A. Raney and Captain Massie, the Australian observer, did not survive the crash. They likely went down with the aircraft. Pilot Ralph Cheli, "badly burned and banged, but otherwise okay", Radioman Raymond Warren and Gunner Clinton H. Murphree were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Dagua Airfield where they were interrogated. The three prisoners were then taken to prison camps in Rabaul.
None of the six men made it home. The three taken prisoners died in captivity.
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Don M. Yancey Listed Missing
Missing in action in the southwest Pacific since August 18 is Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who attended Centenary college here and took his initial flight training at the Municipal airport. The message was received from the commanding general of the fifth air force.
The 23-year-old pilot is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he made his home in Shreveport. He has been in the southwest Pacific area for nearly a year and was pilot of a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber named "Cathy," in honor of his wife, the former Catherine McKuen, of Greenville, South Carolina, whom he met while in training at the air base there.
Flight Officer Yancey's mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
The young pilot was believed to have been stationed somewhere in New Guinea and it is thought that he probably took part in the August 17 and 18 air battles over Wewak. According to wire dispatches, on the first day of this battle 173 Jap planes were destroyed; on the second day all but 10 of 225 planes sighted there were reported destroyed. Yancey's B-25 apparently failed to return from this mission.
A graduate of Creswell and Byrd high schools here, Yancey attended Centenary for a short time before beginning his flight training at Badgett. He enlisted at Barksdale Field in 1941 and qualified as a cadet. On August 4, 1942, he became a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of a B-25. Later he was promoted to flight officer and became a pilot. Letters have been received from him recently, and one, dated August 11, was received by his younger brother, Billie, within an hour after receipt of the telegram. This letter contained best wishes and advice for his 18-year-old brother leaving next day to enter the service. Other letters written by Yancey on August 10 and 11 tell of a week's leave in Australia and that he was back feeling fine and ready to get in some more "hot licks against Tojo."
Yancey visited Shreveport early in November, 1942, before going overseas. He flew to Barksdale from Greenville, S. C., and had a brief visit with his relatives here, including his cousins, Frank and Bill Bailey, jr., who were home at the time and both of whom are flyers. His uncle was also a pilot during World War I. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Friday, 03 September 1943, page 4.
Phoenix Flier Listed Missing
Mrs. Louise Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont avenue, was notified last Friday that here eldest son was missing in action, but she didn't tell anyone then because that was the day his younger brother joined the navy.
Yesterday she disclosed that the war department had informed her that Don M. Yancey, flight officer and U. S. Air Forces pilot, was missing in action on August 18 in the Southwest Pacific area. The message carried no further information. He was a flight officer and pilot of a Mitchell bomber.
A native of Shreveport, La., he left Centenary College in that city to join the armed services and trained at South Carolina. He married Catherine McCuen, Greenville, S. C. last Christmas Eve. She is at home with her parents.
The younger brother, William Yancey, has completed his induction at San Diego. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Thursday, 09 September 1943, page 8 and Sunday, 12 September 1943, page 12.
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Pilot Major Ralph Cheli received the Medal of Honor for his actions. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea."
Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star for assisting Major Ralph Cheli in keeping the damaged plane flying and on target.
Silver Star - Awarded for actions during the World War II
SYNOPSIS: Don M. Yancey, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed hostile force while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Action during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 195 (1943)
Silver Star Is Given To Yancey
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, of 200 Second avenue, Park Place, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action by order of Lt. Gen. George C. Kenny, commander of the Allied air force in the Southwest Pacific area, it was learned here yesterday. Flight Officer Yancey has been reported missing in action.
Following is the citation:
"F-O Don M. Yancey (200 Second avenue, Park Place, Greenville, S. C.), for gallantry in action near Wewak, New Guinea, i August, 1943. F-O. Yancey was co-pilot of the airplane which lead formations of both squadrons. Since the pilot of the lead plane was engaged in direction and coordinating the attack of the two squadrons, Flight Officer Yancey piloted the lead airplane before, during and following the attack on the target. When Dagua airdrome was sighted the flights of both squadrons were reformed for the attack by Major Cheli, acting group commander. During this maneuver Flight Officer Yancey's airplane was attacked by about 15 Japanese fighter airplanes. This attack on the lead plane caused the right engine and the right wing to burst into flames. In spite of this, Flight Officer Yancey continued on to the target, leading the attack and made a bombing and strafing run over the full length of the airdrome. Flight Officer Yancey released his bombs on a cluster of Japanese airplanes along the runway, and these were seen to explode and burn briskly. Following this successful attack Flight Officer Yancey landed his blazing airplane in the sea, close to Japanese bases. This water crash-landing was made with skill, and the crew may have survived. The action of Flight Officer Yancey in leading the attack from start to finish, with a burning airplane, is a deed of extraordinary heroism in military operations against the enemy, worthy of emulation by all. Flight Officer Yancey and his crew are missing in action." Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Tuesday, 12 October 1943, page 12.
Don Maurice Yancey Given Silver Star
Flight Officer Don Maurice Yancey, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. William Maurice Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he formerly made his home, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action, far above and beyond the call of duty," according to word received here. He was cited in a communication from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, commanding Allied air forces in the southwest Pacific.
The heroic act occurred Aug. 18 in a raid led by Officer Yancey on the Japanese air base at Wewak, and as a result of which he has been reported missing ever since. He is believed to be a prisoner of war of the Japanese.
Yancey's plane, attacked by Japanese fighters, had one of its motors set on fire. The officer continued on to the target despite the burning motor and an attack by a Japanese fighter force, enabling his crew to drop its bombs squarely on the target and then made a crash landing at sea.
Reports from other planes on the mission were that after the crash landing the crew was seen floating in a life boat, and are believed to have been picked up by the Japanese.
Yancey was a graduate of Byrd high school and also attended Centenary college before entering the AAF. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Monday, 13 December 1943, page 15.
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18 August 1943 - "Fifty-three B-25 Mitchell bombers took off on the morning of August 18 for another crack at the enemy airfields surrounding Wewak. Weather remained a problem with heavy clouds and pelting rains. Major Ralph Cheli strained to lead his formation of Green Dragons north, up over 15,000-foot peaks, and then down closer to sea level as the formation neared the target area. Only half the formation remained; more than two dozen B-25s had been forced to turn back home.
Visibility was down to two miles but Ralph Cheli continued determinedly to navigate towards his assigned target at Dagua. Beside him, co-pilot Don Yancy kept track of the instruments and coordinated with the navigator, First Lieutenant Vincent Raney. Standing ready at their guns were Sergeants Raymond Warren and Clinton Murphree, completing the standard 5-man crew for a B-25. On this mission there was a passenger. Captain John H. Massie, an observer with the Royal Australian Air Force, was along for the ride – and the battle. No one doubted that this time the enemy would NOT be caught unawares.
Ahead of the low-level bombers and high above the clouds, Colonel Art Rogers of the 90th squadron lead what remained of his own force of heavy bombers for the first strike. Anti-aircraft fire filled the sky long before the 26 heavies opened their doors to drop their bombs. The airfield was hidden by the low-lying blanket of clouds, but Rogers instructed his bombardier to do his best. He refused to return home without leaving something behind.
By the time Cheli's squadron was diving for their low-level strafing run the enemy was fully alert. Scores of Zeroes and Oscars abandoned pursuit of the now retreating heavy bombers to concentrate on turning back the inbound Mitchells. At least ten Japanese fighters concentrated on the lead bomber in the formation, the shark-toothed B-25 flown by Major Ralph Cheli.
The escorting P-38s zoomed in to intercept but not before a stream of machine gun bullets ripped into Major Cheli's airplane. Two miles from target, fire was streaming from his right engine. Cheli was low, too low to safely bail out of the dying airplane. There was still time to pull up, to break formation and gain altitude for the altitude necessary for a parachute evacuation. Cheli knew that as the flight leader, however, such a diversion by the lead bomber would shred the integrity of the whole flight which now on final approach for the bomb run.
Flames streaming from his airplane, Cheli held his dive. He came in low over the airfield at Dagua through a veritable curtain of anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Below Cheli could see a string of parked Japanese fighters. His crew let loose with their machine-guns, stitching them from end to end, while the remainder of his squadron followed him in to strafe and drop their para-frags. It was the most successful attack of the day.
Behind Major Cheli the airstrip at Dagua lay in ruin, the flames and explosions masked only by the flames streaming behind his own right engine. Major Cheli had led by example, taking the necessary risks to guide his men over their target and demonstrating his own willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the mission. His task finished, it was time to turn the reins over to someone else.
Cheli radioed his wingman and advised him to assume command of the flight while he tried to ditch in the water. The Green Dragons headed for home while a bevy of P-38s tangled with enemy fighters to cover their withdrawal. Behind them they left the falling bomber of their commander...." Source: Home of Heroes - Major Ralph Cheli
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In December 1945 the War Department issued a *FOD (Finding of Death for Flight Officer Don M. Yancey (T-186492).
*FOD - Finding of Death, in the absence of a recovered body, soldiers that were determined to be dead under Public Law 490.
Wife Informed Of Death Of Husband
Mrs. Catherine McCuen Yancey, 16 Neal street, has been notified by the War department that her husband, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who has been missing in action since an attack on Wewak, New Guinea, August 18, 1943, has been declared legally dead.
Flight Officer Yancey was forced to crash land his plane after a successful bombing mission on a Japanese airdrome, according to information received by Mrs. Yancey from the War department...The Silver Star medal has been presented to Mrs. Yancey in his behalf.
He was the son of Mrs. Louise B. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona, and the late Captain Don N. Yancey. He was married to Miss Catherine McCuen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen, 16 Neal street, while he was stationed at the Army Air Base here. Mrs. Yancey is a piano teacher in the Parker school district. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 09 December 1945, page 3.
Hero Praised By MacArthur
A message of sympathy has been sent to Mrs. Louise B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, following the war department announcement that her son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, now is officially listed as dead. He has been missing in action since August 18, 1943.
The bombing mission which proved to be the Phoenician's last was made against the Dagua airdrome at Wewak, New Guinea. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star Medal.
...In his letter to Mrs. Yancey, General MacArthur wrote:
"We have lost a gallant comrade in arms in the death of your son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, and I extend my sincere sympathy in your bereavement.
"His service under my command in the Pacific was characterized by his complete loyalty to our country. In giving his life in this crusade for liberty, his name takes its place on the roll of the nation's honored dead." Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Tuesday, 05 March 1946, page 7.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
After his death, his widow, Mrs. Lois Catherine McCuen Yancey married George Frederick Muller on Friday, 03 September 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
She and George had four children: Boyce Lee Muller, Carl Frederick Muller, Nancy Jeanne Muller Mersereau and Virginia Anne Muller Daponte.
After George's death in 2001, Cathy married a 3rd time to Brent Breedin.
Service #: T-186492
Rank: Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces
Unit: 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bombardment Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Arizona
Date of Death: 18 August 1943, when the B-25 plane he was the co-pilot of, ditched into the sea after being hit by machinegun fire from Japanese fighters about 2 km off shore and off the west end of Dagua Airfield (But East), on the north coast of New Guinea (now part of Wewak District, East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea).
Status: Missing in Action, Lost at Sea
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
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*Dunnington Maurice Yancey was the the son of Don N. "Donnie" Napoleon Yancey (1893-1931) and Louise M. Bailey (1898-1970). His father was manager of an auto parts department when he was born. Don was the oldest of eight children.
*name on his birth certificate
1930 United States Federal Census (02 April 1930): Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 2A, family 39, 703 South Primrose) – Don M. Yancey (11 Texas).
CADET OFFICERS OF BYRD R. O. T. C. UNIT ANNOUNCED
List of Appointments Made Public by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman.
Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers of the Junior R. O. T. C. unit in the Shreveport high schools were announced today in General Order No. 1, issued by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman, professor of military science and tactics at the schools. Sgt. Charles C. King is the instructor at Byrd high. The promotions were effective as of September 28.
The list of appointments follows: ... Company A ... Corporals ... Don Maurice Yancey ... Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Thursday, 01 October 1936, page 4.
Don Maurice Yancey graduated from Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana in May 1937.
1940 United States Federal Census (13 April 1940): Shreveport, (Ward 4), Caddo Parish, Louisiana (sheet 10B, household 263, Marshall Street) – Don Yancey (21 Texas, Ambulance Driver, Funeral Home). He had lived in the same place in 1935. Don was a lodger in the Lester F. Hammer (34 Illinois, Funeral Director and Embalmer, Funeral Home) home. He had completed four years of high school.
Don Maurice Yancey (21, 02 January 1919, Wichita Falls, Texas), a resident of 1809 Marshall, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 639, Order No. 5805) on 16 October 1940 at Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He was employed by Rose - Neath Funeral Home, L. B. Kilpatrick. His home address was also his work address. Don listed his friend, Mr. Lester Hammer, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 9½" in height, 143 lbs., with a dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes.
He attended Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport for one year. Don took his initial flight training at the Shreveport municipal airport.
Shreveporter Is One of Four Enlisting in Army
Don M. Yancey of Shreveport was one of four men who enlisted yesterday for regular army assignments at the local army recruiting office. Yancey and Henry E. Guimbeliot of Winnsboro enlisted for air corps duty at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi... Source: The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), Wednesday, 17 September 1941, page 12.
He enlisted at Barksdale Field and qualified as a cadet.
Don M. Yancey (1919 Texas), a resident of Caddo County, Louisiana, reenlisted as a Staff Sergeant (S/N 4060734) in the Army Air Corps on 05 August 1942 at Napier Field, Dothan County, Alabama. His enlistment was for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as "attendants, professional and personal service, n.e.c."
Don graduated from the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama on 04 August 1942 as a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of the B-25. He was sent to Greenville Army Air Base in Greenville, South Carolina for additional training.
August 1942
Staff Sergeants Go Up In Planes
Flying Rank For Non-Commissioned Officers Arranged
If you see a clean-cut young soldier in Greenville, wearing a staff sergeant's chevrons and a pair of silver wings, it will pay you to take a second look.
He is probably on of 15 flying non-commissioned officers assigned to the Greenville Army Air Base – with a rank so new as to be almost unique in the Army Air Corps. In fact the flying sergeant you see is from the first group to graduate from a southeast air force training center.
He may be Staff Sgt. William F. Stewart, M. H. Campbell or Don M. Yancey or any one of 12 others. He may speak with a western twang, a southern drawl or in the clipped accents of a northerner.
ARE REAL FLIERS
Whatever he is, he can perform tricks with a plane. He can take it up and bring it down, and he knows what to do with it when the plane is climbing. like a homesick angel, high into the airways. He's a pilot in his own right, and he's learning at the Greenville base the important role he and other pilots will play in settling scores overseas.
All of the flying non-coms are recent graduates of the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama. There they took the same rigorous courses as aviation cadets, drilled beside them, flew beside them, and graduated in the same class with them.
Today they are entitled to staff sergeants pay plus an additional half of that for flight pay. And they are eligible for promotion to the grades of technical sergeant pilot, master sergeant pilot, the newly created grade of flight officer, and perhaps eventually higher.
All of them have come up from the ranks of enlisted men. To get the coveted opportunity to fly, they had to show marked ability, leadership, and mechanical aptitude and pass the stringent physical and mental tests which insure the United States the best air force in the world.
Not only can they fly but many of them can service their own planes, if need be, with a proficiency gained only through long practice. Many of them attended air corps technical schools, for enlisted men, in radio, mechanics, armament, etc., prior to taking flight training.
They're a modest unassuming bunch of fellows. Get them together and they start taking about planes and maybe "the girl back home." "What's there to write about me?" one of them asked.
The boys average only slightly over 21 years – the oldest is 23 and the youngest 19 with only the faintest peach down on his face to qualify as whiskers. And, a hint to the wise, girls, they're single to a man.
HERE THEY ARE
Meet each of them personally: ... DON M. YANCEY, 23, calls Phoenix, Arizona, home. He attended Centenary college, Shreveport; and worked as a funeral director before getting into the service... Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) Sunday, 16 August 1942, page 6.
Don married Lois Catherine McCuen on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1942 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Boyce Harold McCuen and Jessie Jane Garrison. She was a gifted piano player and teacher.
McCUEN-YANCEY – Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen announce the marriage of their daughter, Lois Catherine, to Don Maurice Yancey, Flight Officer, United States Army Air Forces, on Thursday, the 24th of December, 1942, Greenville, South Carolina. The wedding took place in the chapel of the First Presbyterian church, with Dr. Charles H. Nabers officiating. The couple was attended by Flight Officer and Mrs. D. T. Knight, Jr., of Joplin, Missouri. Mrs. Yancy is descended from the Rasor, Garrison and McCuen families of Greenville and Anderson counties. She is a graduate of Parker high school. Flight Officer Yancey is the son of Mrs. D. N. Yancey and the late Mr. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona. He was educated in the schools of Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Centenary college. Before entering the service, he was connected with Rose-Heath Funeral home in Shreveport. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 17 January 1943, page 15.
Our Fighting Men
ASSIGNMENTS: Don M. Yancey , son of Mrs. L. B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, is now flight officer at the Greenville, South Carolina army air base. He was married Christmas Eve. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Sunday, 10 January 1943, page 3.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey was sent to the Southwest Pacific in December 1942. He was assigned to 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bomber Group, Medium and based at Durand Airfield (17 Mile Drome), near Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were flying new B-25D aircraft.
By August 1943, the Fifth Air Force was supporting the Allies' strategic plan of advance toward the Philippines along the north coast of New Guinea. Its next stage, scheduled for early September, was the seizure of the Japanese base at Lae. The immediate goal of the Fifth Air Force was the neutralization of Japanese airpower concentrated at Wewak, some 300 miles west of Lae. Wewak and its satellite fields at But, Boram, and Dagua, based more than 100 bombers and about 90 fighters. The 500+-mile flight to Wewak was the deepest penetration into Japanese-held territory yet made by medium bombers.
August 1943
Flight Officer, Don M. Yancey was the co-pilot on B-25D-5 Mitchell Serial Number 41-30117 (with call sign KF24A), a twin-engine, medium-range bomber. On 18 August 1943 they took off from 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 0630 to lead a flight of nine B-25 Mitchells from the 405th Bombardment Squadron on a bombing and strafing mission against the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, about 18 miles west of Wewak. Joining the five American crew on board was an observer from the Australian Army, 1st Australian Air Liaison Group, was Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie. Their bomber was loaded with 12 3-bomb clusters of 23-pound "para-frag" bombs, which they would drop on Dagua.
Dagua Airfield had been built by the Japanese in 1943 and was a base for their bomber and fighter planes. Dagua Airfield was an important Japanese airfield for missions against Allied targets.
Two miles from the target, their B-25 was intercepted by numerous Japanese Zeros and the right engine was hit. The wing burst into flames and the plane began losing power as black smoke poured from the engine nacelle and wing. Despite being damaged, Pilot, Major Ralph Cheli continued to lead the formation to the target. From a minimum altitude (150 feet), their squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the airfield. Afterwards the plane turned out to sea where it crash landed in flames at roughly 9:15 a.m about a mile off the west end of Dagua Airfield.
Statement from Japanese Captain Okada Takakazu: "Aircraft forced down on water near East But Aerodrome [Dagua] about 2 km out from the shore and opposite Dagua air strip. Plane blew up and sank."
The crew of B-25 (41-30117):
Pilot: Major Ralph Cheli, S/N O-399830 38th Group Deputy Commander and former Commanding Officer of the 405th Bombardment Squadron (POW, died 06 March 1944) San Francisco, California – Awarded the Medal of Honor
Co-Pilot: Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, S/N T-186492 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Texas
Navigator: 1st Lt. Vincent A. Raney, S/N O-437474 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Ohio
Radio: T/Sgt. Raymond C. Warren, S/N: 15088088 (POW/MIA) West Virginia
Gunner: S/Sgt Clinton H. Murphree, S/N 6282173 (POW/MIA) Oklahoma
Observer: Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie S/N NX42188, Australian Army, Australian Air Liaison Group (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Bellevue Hill, Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16528
According post-war reports, Co-Pilot Don Yancy, Navigator Vincent A. Raney and Captain Massie, the Australian observer, did not survive the crash. They likely went down with the aircraft. Pilot Ralph Cheli, "badly burned and banged, but otherwise okay", Radioman Raymond Warren and Gunner Clinton H. Murphree were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Dagua Airfield where they were interrogated. The three prisoners were then taken to prison camps in Rabaul.
None of the six men made it home. The three taken prisoners died in captivity.
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Don M. Yancey Listed Missing
Missing in action in the southwest Pacific since August 18 is Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who attended Centenary college here and took his initial flight training at the Municipal airport. The message was received from the commanding general of the fifth air force.
The 23-year-old pilot is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he made his home in Shreveport. He has been in the southwest Pacific area for nearly a year and was pilot of a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber named "Cathy," in honor of his wife, the former Catherine McKuen, of Greenville, South Carolina, whom he met while in training at the air base there.
Flight Officer Yancey's mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
The young pilot was believed to have been stationed somewhere in New Guinea and it is thought that he probably took part in the August 17 and 18 air battles over Wewak. According to wire dispatches, on the first day of this battle 173 Jap planes were destroyed; on the second day all but 10 of 225 planes sighted there were reported destroyed. Yancey's B-25 apparently failed to return from this mission.
A graduate of Creswell and Byrd high schools here, Yancey attended Centenary for a short time before beginning his flight training at Badgett. He enlisted at Barksdale Field in 1941 and qualified as a cadet. On August 4, 1942, he became a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of a B-25. Later he was promoted to flight officer and became a pilot. Letters have been received from him recently, and one, dated August 11, was received by his younger brother, Billie, within an hour after receipt of the telegram. This letter contained best wishes and advice for his 18-year-old brother leaving next day to enter the service. Other letters written by Yancey on August 10 and 11 tell of a week's leave in Australia and that he was back feeling fine and ready to get in some more "hot licks against Tojo."
Yancey visited Shreveport early in November, 1942, before going overseas. He flew to Barksdale from Greenville, S. C., and had a brief visit with his relatives here, including his cousins, Frank and Bill Bailey, jr., who were home at the time and both of whom are flyers. His uncle was also a pilot during World War I. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Friday, 03 September 1943, page 4.
Phoenix Flier Listed Missing
Mrs. Louise Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont avenue, was notified last Friday that here eldest son was missing in action, but she didn't tell anyone then because that was the day his younger brother joined the navy.
Yesterday she disclosed that the war department had informed her that Don M. Yancey, flight officer and U. S. Air Forces pilot, was missing in action on August 18 in the Southwest Pacific area. The message carried no further information. He was a flight officer and pilot of a Mitchell bomber.
A native of Shreveport, La., he left Centenary College in that city to join the armed services and trained at South Carolina. He married Catherine McCuen, Greenville, S. C. last Christmas Eve. She is at home with her parents.
The younger brother, William Yancey, has completed his induction at San Diego. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Thursday, 09 September 1943, page 8 and Sunday, 12 September 1943, page 12.
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Pilot Major Ralph Cheli received the Medal of Honor for his actions. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea."
Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star for assisting Major Ralph Cheli in keeping the damaged plane flying and on target.
Silver Star - Awarded for actions during the World War II
SYNOPSIS: Don M. Yancey, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed hostile force while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Action during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 195 (1943)
Silver Star Is Given To Yancey
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, of 200 Second avenue, Park Place, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action by order of Lt. Gen. George C. Kenny, commander of the Allied air force in the Southwest Pacific area, it was learned here yesterday. Flight Officer Yancey has been reported missing in action.
Following is the citation:
"F-O Don M. Yancey (200 Second avenue, Park Place, Greenville, S. C.), for gallantry in action near Wewak, New Guinea, i August, 1943. F-O. Yancey was co-pilot of the airplane which lead formations of both squadrons. Since the pilot of the lead plane was engaged in direction and coordinating the attack of the two squadrons, Flight Officer Yancey piloted the lead airplane before, during and following the attack on the target. When Dagua airdrome was sighted the flights of both squadrons were reformed for the attack by Major Cheli, acting group commander. During this maneuver Flight Officer Yancey's airplane was attacked by about 15 Japanese fighter airplanes. This attack on the lead plane caused the right engine and the right wing to burst into flames. In spite of this, Flight Officer Yancey continued on to the target, leading the attack and made a bombing and strafing run over the full length of the airdrome. Flight Officer Yancey released his bombs on a cluster of Japanese airplanes along the runway, and these were seen to explode and burn briskly. Following this successful attack Flight Officer Yancey landed his blazing airplane in the sea, close to Japanese bases. This water crash-landing was made with skill, and the crew may have survived. The action of Flight Officer Yancey in leading the attack from start to finish, with a burning airplane, is a deed of extraordinary heroism in military operations against the enemy, worthy of emulation by all. Flight Officer Yancey and his crew are missing in action." Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Tuesday, 12 October 1943, page 12.
Don Maurice Yancey Given Silver Star
Flight Officer Don Maurice Yancey, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. William Maurice Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he formerly made his home, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action, far above and beyond the call of duty," according to word received here. He was cited in a communication from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, commanding Allied air forces in the southwest Pacific.
The heroic act occurred Aug. 18 in a raid led by Officer Yancey on the Japanese air base at Wewak, and as a result of which he has been reported missing ever since. He is believed to be a prisoner of war of the Japanese.
Yancey's plane, attacked by Japanese fighters, had one of its motors set on fire. The officer continued on to the target despite the burning motor and an attack by a Japanese fighter force, enabling his crew to drop its bombs squarely on the target and then made a crash landing at sea.
Reports from other planes on the mission were that after the crash landing the crew was seen floating in a life boat, and are believed to have been picked up by the Japanese.
Yancey was a graduate of Byrd high school and also attended Centenary college before entering the AAF. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Monday, 13 December 1943, page 15.
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18 August 1943 - "Fifty-three B-25 Mitchell bombers took off on the morning of August 18 for another crack at the enemy airfields surrounding Wewak. Weather remained a problem with heavy clouds and pelting rains. Major Ralph Cheli strained to lead his formation of Green Dragons north, up over 15,000-foot peaks, and then down closer to sea level as the formation neared the target area. Only half the formation remained; more than two dozen B-25s had been forced to turn back home.
Visibility was down to two miles but Ralph Cheli continued determinedly to navigate towards his assigned target at Dagua. Beside him, co-pilot Don Yancy kept track of the instruments and coordinated with the navigator, First Lieutenant Vincent Raney. Standing ready at their guns were Sergeants Raymond Warren and Clinton Murphree, completing the standard 5-man crew for a B-25. On this mission there was a passenger. Captain John H. Massie, an observer with the Royal Australian Air Force, was along for the ride – and the battle. No one doubted that this time the enemy would NOT be caught unawares.
Ahead of the low-level bombers and high above the clouds, Colonel Art Rogers of the 90th squadron lead what remained of his own force of heavy bombers for the first strike. Anti-aircraft fire filled the sky long before the 26 heavies opened their doors to drop their bombs. The airfield was hidden by the low-lying blanket of clouds, but Rogers instructed his bombardier to do his best. He refused to return home without leaving something behind.
By the time Cheli's squadron was diving for their low-level strafing run the enemy was fully alert. Scores of Zeroes and Oscars abandoned pursuit of the now retreating heavy bombers to concentrate on turning back the inbound Mitchells. At least ten Japanese fighters concentrated on the lead bomber in the formation, the shark-toothed B-25 flown by Major Ralph Cheli.
The escorting P-38s zoomed in to intercept but not before a stream of machine gun bullets ripped into Major Cheli's airplane. Two miles from target, fire was streaming from his right engine. Cheli was low, too low to safely bail out of the dying airplane. There was still time to pull up, to break formation and gain altitude for the altitude necessary for a parachute evacuation. Cheli knew that as the flight leader, however, such a diversion by the lead bomber would shred the integrity of the whole flight which now on final approach for the bomb run.
Flames streaming from his airplane, Cheli held his dive. He came in low over the airfield at Dagua through a veritable curtain of anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Below Cheli could see a string of parked Japanese fighters. His crew let loose with their machine-guns, stitching them from end to end, while the remainder of his squadron followed him in to strafe and drop their para-frags. It was the most successful attack of the day.
Behind Major Cheli the airstrip at Dagua lay in ruin, the flames and explosions masked only by the flames streaming behind his own right engine. Major Cheli had led by example, taking the necessary risks to guide his men over their target and demonstrating his own willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the mission. His task finished, it was time to turn the reins over to someone else.
Cheli radioed his wingman and advised him to assume command of the flight while he tried to ditch in the water. The Green Dragons headed for home while a bevy of P-38s tangled with enemy fighters to cover their withdrawal. Behind them they left the falling bomber of their commander...." Source: Home of Heroes - Major Ralph Cheli
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In December 1945 the War Department issued a *FOD (Finding of Death for Flight Officer Don M. Yancey (T-186492).
*FOD - Finding of Death, in the absence of a recovered body, soldiers that were determined to be dead under Public Law 490.
Wife Informed Of Death Of Husband
Mrs. Catherine McCuen Yancey, 16 Neal street, has been notified by the War department that her husband, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who has been missing in action since an attack on Wewak, New Guinea, August 18, 1943, has been declared legally dead.
Flight Officer Yancey was forced to crash land his plane after a successful bombing mission on a Japanese airdrome, according to information received by Mrs. Yancey from the War department...The Silver Star medal has been presented to Mrs. Yancey in his behalf.
He was the son of Mrs. Louise B. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona, and the late Captain Don N. Yancey. He was married to Miss Catherine McCuen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen, 16 Neal street, while he was stationed at the Army Air Base here. Mrs. Yancey is a piano teacher in the Parker school district. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 09 December 1945, page 3.
Hero Praised By MacArthur
A message of sympathy has been sent to Mrs. Louise B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, following the war department announcement that her son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, now is officially listed as dead. He has been missing in action since August 18, 1943.
The bombing mission which proved to be the Phoenician's last was made against the Dagua airdrome at Wewak, New Guinea. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star Medal.
...In his letter to Mrs. Yancey, General MacArthur wrote:
"We have lost a gallant comrade in arms in the death of your son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, and I extend my sincere sympathy in your bereavement.
"His service under my command in the Pacific was characterized by his complete loyalty to our country. In giving his life in this crusade for liberty, his name takes its place on the roll of the nation's honored dead." Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Tuesday, 05 March 1946, page 7.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
After his death, his widow, Mrs. Lois Catherine McCuen Yancey married George Frederick Muller on Friday, 03 September 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
She and George had four children: Boyce Lee Muller, Carl Frederick Muller, Nancy Jeanne Muller Mersereau and Virginia Anne Muller Daponte.
After George's death in 2001, Cathy married a 3rd time to Brent Breedin.
Don M. Yancey
Service #: T-186492
Rank: Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces
Unit: 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bombardment Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Arizona
Date of Death: 18 August 1943, when the B-25 plane he was the co-pilot of, ditched into the sea after being hit by machinegun fire from Japanese fighters about 2 km off shore and off the west end of Dagua Airfield (But East), on the north coast of New Guinea (now part of Wewak District, East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea).
Status: Missing in Action, Lost at Sea
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
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*Dunnington Maurice Yancey was the the son of Don N. "Donnie" Napoleon Yancey (1893-1931) and Louise M. Bailey (1898-1970). His father was manager of an auto parts department when he was born. Don was the oldest of eight children.
*name on his birth certificate
1930 United States Federal Census (02 April 1930): Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 2A, family 39, 703 South Primrose) – Don M. Yancey (11 Texas).
CADET OFFICERS OF BYRD R. O. T. C. UNIT ANNOUNCED
List of Appointments Made Public by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman.
Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers of the Junior R. O. T. C. unit in the Shreveport high schools were announced today in General Order No. 1, issued by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman, professor of military science and tactics at the schools. Sgt. Charles C. King is the instructor at Byrd high. The promotions were effective as of September 28.
The list of appointments follows: ... Company A ... Corporals ... Don Maurice Yancey ... Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Thursday, 01 October 1936, page 4.
Don Maurice Yancey graduated from Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana in May 1937.
1940 United States Federal Census (13 April 1940): Shreveport, (Ward 4), Caddo Parish, Louisiana (sheet 10B, household 263, Marshall Street) – Don Yancey (21 Texas, Ambulance Driver, Funeral Home). He had lived in the same place in 1935. Don was a lodger in the Lester F. Hammer (34 Illinois, Funeral Director and Embalmer, Funeral Home) home. He had completed four years of high school.
Don Maurice Yancey (21, 02 January 1919, Wichita Falls, Texas), a resident of 1809 Marshall, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 639, Order No. 5805) on 16 October 1940 at Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He was employed by Rose - Neath Funeral Home, L. B. Kilpatrick. His home address was also his work address. Don listed his friend, Mr. Lester Hammer, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 9½" in height, 143 lbs., with a dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes.
He attended Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport for one year. Don took his initial flight training at the Shreveport municipal airport.
Shreveporter Is One of Four Enlisting in Army
Don M. Yancey of Shreveport was one of four men who enlisted yesterday for regular army assignments at the local army recruiting office. Yancey and Henry E. Guimbeliot of Winnsboro enlisted for air corps duty at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi... Source: The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), Wednesday, 17 September 1941, page 12.
He enlisted at Barksdale Field and qualified as a cadet.
Don M. Yancey (1919 Texas), a resident of Caddo County, Louisiana, reenlisted as a Staff Sergeant (S/N 4060734) in the Army Air Corps on 05 August 1942 at Napier Field, Dothan County, Alabama. His enlistment was for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as "attendants, professional and personal service, n.e.c."
Don graduated from the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama on 04 August 1942 as a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of the B-25. He was sent to Greenville Army Air Base in Greenville, South Carolina for additional training.
August 1942
Staff Sergeants Go Up In Planes
Flying Rank For Non-Commissioned Officers Arranged
If you see a clean-cut young soldier in Greenville, wearing a staff sergeant's chevrons and a pair of silver wings, it will pay you to take a second look.
He is probably on of 15 flying non-commissioned officers assigned to the Greenville Army Air Base – with a rank so new as to be almost unique in the Army Air Corps. In fact the flying sergeant you see is from the first group to graduate from a southeast air force training center.
He may be Staff Sgt. William F. Stewart, M. H. Campbell or Don M. Yancey or any one of 12 others. He may speak with a western twang, a southern drawl or in the clipped accents of a northerner.
ARE REAL FLIERS
Whatever he is, he can perform tricks with a plane. He can take it up and bring it down, and he knows what to do with it when the plane is climbing. like a homesick angel, high into the airways. He's a pilot in his own right, and he's learning at the Greenville base the important role he and other pilots will play in settling scores overseas.
All of the flying non-coms are recent graduates of the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama. There they took the same rigorous courses as aviation cadets, drilled beside them, flew beside them, and graduated in the same class with them.
Today they are entitled to staff sergeants pay plus an additional half of that for flight pay. And they are eligible for promotion to the grades of technical sergeant pilot, master sergeant pilot, the newly created grade of flight officer, and perhaps eventually higher.
All of them have come up from the ranks of enlisted men. To get the coveted opportunity to fly, they had to show marked ability, leadership, and mechanical aptitude and pass the stringent physical and mental tests which insure the United States the best air force in the world.
Not only can they fly but many of them can service their own planes, if need be, with a proficiency gained only through long practice. Many of them attended air corps technical schools, for enlisted men, in radio, mechanics, armament, etc., prior to taking flight training.
They're a modest unassuming bunch of fellows. Get them together and they start taking about planes and maybe "the girl back home." "What's there to write about me?" one of them asked.
The boys average only slightly over 21 years – the oldest is 23 and the youngest 19 with only the faintest peach down on his face to qualify as whiskers. And, a hint to the wise, girls, they're single to a man.
HERE THEY ARE
Meet each of them personally: ... DON M. YANCEY, 23, calls Phoenix, Arizona, home. He attended Centenary college, Shreveport; and worked as a funeral director before getting into the service... Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) Sunday, 16 August 1942, page 6.
Don married Lois Catherine McCuen on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1942 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Boyce Harold McCuen and Jessie Jane Garrison. She was a gifted piano player and teacher.
McCUEN-YANCEY – Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen announce the marriage of their daughter, Lois Catherine, to Don Maurice Yancey, Flight Officer, United States Army Air Forces, on Thursday, the 24th of December, 1942, Greenville, South Carolina. The wedding took place in the chapel of the First Presbyterian church, with Dr. Charles H. Nabers officiating. The couple was attended by Flight Officer and Mrs. D. T. Knight, Jr., of Joplin, Missouri. Mrs. Yancy is descended from the Rasor, Garrison and McCuen families of Greenville and Anderson counties. She is a graduate of Parker high school. Flight Officer Yancey is the son of Mrs. D. N. Yancey and the late Mr. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona. He was educated in the schools of Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Centenary college. Before entering the service, he was connected with Rose-Heath Funeral home in Shreveport. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 17 January 1943, page 15.
Our Fighting Men
ASSIGNMENTS: Don M. Yancey , son of Mrs. L. B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, is now flight officer at the Greenville, South Carolina army air base. He was married Christmas Eve. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Sunday, 10 January 1943, page 3.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey was sent to the Southwest Pacific in December 1942. He was assigned to 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bomber Group, Medium and based at Durand Airfield (17 Mile Drome), near Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were flying new B-25D aircraft.
By August 1943, the Fifth Air Force was supporting the Allies' strategic plan of advance toward the Philippines along the north coast of New Guinea. Its next stage, scheduled for early September, was the seizure of the Japanese base at Lae. The immediate goal of the Fifth Air Force was the neutralization of Japanese airpower concentrated at Wewak, some 300 miles west of Lae. Wewak and its satellite fields at But, Boram, and Dagua, based more than 100 bombers and about 90 fighters. The 500+-mile flight to Wewak was the deepest penetration into Japanese-held territory yet made by medium bombers.
August 1943
Flight Officer, Don M. Yancey was the co-pilot on B-25D-5 Mitchell Serial Number 41-30117 (with call sign KF24A), a twin-engine, medium-range bomber. On 18 August 1943 they took off from 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 0630 to lead a flight of nine B-25 Mitchells from the 405th Bombardment Squadron on a bombing and strafing mission against the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, about 18 miles west of Wewak. Joining the five American crew on board was an observer from the Australian Army, 1st Australian Air Liaison Group, was Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie. Their bomber was loaded with 12 3-bomb clusters of 23-pound "para-frag" bombs, which they would drop on Dagua.
Dagua Airfield had been built by the Japanese in 1943 and was a base for their bomber and fighter planes. Dagua Airfield was an important Japanese airfield for missions against Allied targets.
Two miles from the target, their B-25 was intercepted by numerous Japanese Zeros and the right engine was hit. The wing burst into flames and the plane began losing power as black smoke poured from the engine nacelle and wing. Despite being damaged, Pilot, Major Ralph Cheli continued to lead the formation to the target. From a minimum altitude (150 feet), their squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the airfield. Afterwards the plane turned out to sea where it crash landed in flames at roughly 9:15 a.m about a mile off the west end of Dagua Airfield.
Statement from Japanese Captain Okada Takakazu: "Aircraft forced down on water near East But Aerodrome [Dagua] about 2 km out from the shore and opposite Dagua air strip. Plane blew up and sank."
The crew of B-25 (41-30117):
Pilot: Major Ralph Cheli, S/N O-399830 38th Group Deputy Commander and former Commanding Officer of the 405th Bombardment Squadron (POW, died 06 March 1944) San Francisco, California – Awarded the Medal of Honor
Co-Pilot: Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, S/N T-186492 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Texas
Navigator: 1st Lt. Vincent A. Raney, S/N O-437474 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Ohio
Radio: T/Sgt. Raymond C. Warren, S/N: 15088088 (POW/MIA) West Virginia
Gunner: S/Sgt Clinton H. Murphree, S/N 6282173 (POW/MIA) Oklahoma
Observer: Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie S/N NX42188, Australian Army, Australian Air Liaison Group (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Bellevue Hill, Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16528
According post-war reports, Co-Pilot Don Yancy, Navigator Vincent A. Raney and Captain Massie, the Australian observer, did not survive the crash. They likely went down with the aircraft. Pilot Ralph Cheli, "badly burned and banged, but otherwise okay", Radioman Raymond Warren and Gunner Clinton H. Murphree were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Dagua Airfield where they were interrogated. The three prisoners were then taken to prison camps in Rabaul.
None of the six men made it home. The three taken prisoners died in captivity.
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Don M. Yancey Listed Missing
Missing in action in the southwest Pacific since August 18 is Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who attended Centenary college here and took his initial flight training at the Municipal airport. The message was received from the commanding general of the fifth air force.
The 23-year-old pilot is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he made his home in Shreveport. He has been in the southwest Pacific area for nearly a year and was pilot of a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber named "Cathy," in honor of his wife, the former Catherine McKuen, of Greenville, South Carolina, whom he met while in training at the air base there.
Flight Officer Yancey's mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
The young pilot was believed to have been stationed somewhere in New Guinea and it is thought that he probably took part in the August 17 and 18 air battles over Wewak. According to wire dispatches, on the first day of this battle 173 Jap planes were destroyed; on the second day all but 10 of 225 planes sighted there were reported destroyed. Yancey's B-25 apparently failed to return from this mission.
A graduate of Creswell and Byrd high schools here, Yancey attended Centenary for a short time before beginning his flight training at Badgett. He enlisted at Barksdale Field in 1941 and qualified as a cadet. On August 4, 1942, he became a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of a B-25. Later he was promoted to flight officer and became a pilot. Letters have been received from him recently, and one, dated August 11, was received by his younger brother, Billie, within an hour after receipt of the telegram. This letter contained best wishes and advice for his 18-year-old brother leaving next day to enter the service. Other letters written by Yancey on August 10 and 11 tell of a week's leave in Australia and that he was back feeling fine and ready to get in some more "hot licks against Tojo."
Yancey visited Shreveport early in November, 1942, before going overseas. He flew to Barksdale from Greenville, S. C., and had a brief visit with his relatives here, including his cousins, Frank and Bill Bailey, jr., who were home at the time and both of whom are flyers. His uncle was also a pilot during World War I. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Friday, 03 September 1943, page 4.
Phoenix Flier Listed Missing
Mrs. Louise Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont avenue, was notified last Friday that here eldest son was missing in action, but she didn't tell anyone then because that was the day his younger brother joined the navy.
Yesterday she disclosed that the war department had informed her that Don M. Yancey, flight officer and U. S. Air Forces pilot, was missing in action on August 18 in the Southwest Pacific area. The message carried no further information. He was a flight officer and pilot of a Mitchell bomber.
A native of Shreveport, La., he left Centenary College in that city to join the armed services and trained at South Carolina. He married Catherine McCuen, Greenville, S. C. last Christmas Eve. She is at home with her parents.
The younger brother, William Yancey, has completed his induction at San Diego. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Thursday, 09 September 1943, page 8 and Sunday, 12 September 1943, page 12.
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Pilot Major Ralph Cheli received the Medal of Honor for his actions. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea."
Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star for assisting Major Ralph Cheli in keeping the damaged plane flying and on target.
Silver Star - Awarded for actions during the World War II
SYNOPSIS: Don M. Yancey, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed hostile force while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Action during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 195 (1943)
Silver Star Is Given To Yancey
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, of 200 Second avenue, Park Place, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action by order of Lt. Gen. George C. Kenny, commander of the Allied air force in the Southwest Pacific area, it was learned here yesterday. Flight Officer Yancey has been reported missing in action.
Following is the citation:
"F-O Don M. Yancey (200 Second avenue, Park Place, Greenville, S. C.), for gallantry in action near Wewak, New Guinea, i August, 1943. F-O. Yancey was co-pilot of the airplane which lead formations of both squadrons. Since the pilot of the lead plane was engaged in direction and coordinating the attack of the two squadrons, Flight Officer Yancey piloted the lead airplane before, during and following the attack on the target. When Dagua airdrome was sighted the flights of both squadrons were reformed for the attack by Major Cheli, acting group commander. During this maneuver Flight Officer Yancey's airplane was attacked by about 15 Japanese fighter airplanes. This attack on the lead plane caused the right engine and the right wing to burst into flames. In spite of this, Flight Officer Yancey continued on to the target, leading the attack and made a bombing and strafing run over the full length of the airdrome. Flight Officer Yancey released his bombs on a cluster of Japanese airplanes along the runway, and these were seen to explode and burn briskly. Following this successful attack Flight Officer Yancey landed his blazing airplane in the sea, close to Japanese bases. This water crash-landing was made with skill, and the crew may have survived. The action of Flight Officer Yancey in leading the attack from start to finish, with a burning airplane, is a deed of extraordinary heroism in military operations against the enemy, worthy of emulation by all. Flight Officer Yancey and his crew are missing in action." Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Tuesday, 12 October 1943, page 12.
Don Maurice Yancey Given Silver Star
Flight Officer Don Maurice Yancey, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. William Maurice Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he formerly made his home, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action, far above and beyond the call of duty," according to word received here. He was cited in a communication from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, commanding Allied air forces in the southwest Pacific.
The heroic act occurred Aug. 18 in a raid led by Officer Yancey on the Japanese air base at Wewak, and as a result of which he has been reported missing ever since. He is believed to be a prisoner of war of the Japanese.
Yancey's plane, attacked by Japanese fighters, had one of its motors set on fire. The officer continued on to the target despite the burning motor and an attack by a Japanese fighter force, enabling his crew to drop its bombs squarely on the target and then made a crash landing at sea.
Reports from other planes on the mission were that after the crash landing the crew was seen floating in a life boat, and are believed to have been picked up by the Japanese.
Yancey was a graduate of Byrd high school and also attended Centenary college before entering the AAF. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Monday, 13 December 1943, page 15.
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18 August 1943 - "Fifty-three B-25 Mitchell bombers took off on the morning of August 18 for another crack at the enemy airfields surrounding Wewak. Weather remained a problem with heavy clouds and pelting rains. Major Ralph Cheli strained to lead his formation of Green Dragons north, up over 15,000-foot peaks, and then down closer to sea level as the formation neared the target area. Only half the formation remained; more than two dozen B-25s had been forced to turn back home.
Visibility was down to two miles but Ralph Cheli continued determinedly to navigate towards his assigned target at Dagua. Beside him, co-pilot Don Yancy kept track of the instruments and coordinated with the navigator, First Lieutenant Vincent Raney. Standing ready at their guns were Sergeants Raymond Warren and Clinton Murphree, completing the standard 5-man crew for a B-25. On this mission there was a passenger. Captain John H. Massie, an observer with the Royal Australian Air Force, was along for the ride – and the battle. No one doubted that this time the enemy would NOT be caught unawares.
Ahead of the low-level bombers and high above the clouds, Colonel Art Rogers of the 90th squadron lead what remained of his own force of heavy bombers for the first strike. Anti-aircraft fire filled the sky long before the 26 heavies opened their doors to drop their bombs. The airfield was hidden by the low-lying blanket of clouds, but Rogers instructed his bombardier to do his best. He refused to return home without leaving something behind.
By the time Cheli's squadron was diving for their low-level strafing run the enemy was fully alert. Scores of Zeroes and Oscars abandoned pursuit of the now retreating heavy bombers to concentrate on turning back the inbound Mitchells. At least ten Japanese fighters concentrated on the lead bomber in the formation, the shark-toothed B-25 flown by Major Ralph Cheli.
The escorting P-38s zoomed in to intercept but not before a stream of machine gun bullets ripped into Major Cheli's airplane. Two miles from target, fire was streaming from his right engine. Cheli was low, too low to safely bail out of the dying airplane. There was still time to pull up, to break formation and gain altitude for the altitude necessary for a parachute evacuation. Cheli knew that as the flight leader, however, such a diversion by the lead bomber would shred the integrity of the whole flight which now on final approach for the bomb run.
Flames streaming from his airplane, Cheli held his dive. He came in low over the airfield at Dagua through a veritable curtain of anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Below Cheli could see a string of parked Japanese fighters. His crew let loose with their machine-guns, stitching them from end to end, while the remainder of his squadron followed him in to strafe and drop their para-frags. It was the most successful attack of the day.
Behind Major Cheli the airstrip at Dagua lay in ruin, the flames and explosions masked only by the flames streaming behind his own right engine. Major Cheli had led by example, taking the necessary risks to guide his men over their target and demonstrating his own willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the mission. His task finished, it was time to turn the reins over to someone else.
Cheli radioed his wingman and advised him to assume command of the flight while he tried to ditch in the water. The Green Dragons headed for home while a bevy of P-38s tangled with enemy fighters to cover their withdrawal. Behind them they left the falling bomber of their commander...." Source: Home of Heroes - Major Ralph Cheli
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In December 1945 the War Department issued a *FOD (Finding of Death for Flight Officer Don M. Yancey (T-186492).
*FOD - Finding of Death, in the absence of a recovered body, soldiers that were determined to be dead under Public Law 490.
Wife Informed Of Death Of Husband
Mrs. Catherine McCuen Yancey, 16 Neal street, has been notified by the War department that her husband, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who has been missing in action since an attack on Wewak, New Guinea, August 18, 1943, has been declared legally dead.
Flight Officer Yancey was forced to crash land his plane after a successful bombing mission on a Japanese airdrome, according to information received by Mrs. Yancey from the War department...The Silver Star medal has been presented to Mrs. Yancey in his behalf.
He was the son of Mrs. Louise B. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona, and the late Captain Don N. Yancey. He was married to Miss Catherine McCuen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen, 16 Neal street, while he was stationed at the Army Air Base here. Mrs. Yancey is a piano teacher in the Parker school district. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 09 December 1945, page 3.
Hero Praised By MacArthur
A message of sympathy has been sent to Mrs. Louise B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, following the war department announcement that her son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, now is officially listed as dead. He has been missing in action since August 18, 1943.
The bombing mission which proved to be the Phoenician's last was made against the Dagua airdrome at Wewak, New Guinea. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star Medal.
...In his letter to Mrs. Yancey, General MacArthur wrote:
"We have lost a gallant comrade in arms in the death of your son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, and I extend my sincere sympathy in your bereavement.
"His service under my command in the Pacific was characterized by his complete loyalty to our country. In giving his life in this crusade for liberty, his name takes its place on the roll of the nation's honored dead." Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Tuesday, 05 March 1946, page 7.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
After his death, his widow, Mrs. Lois Catherine McCuen Yancey married George Frederick Muller on Friday, 03 September 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
She and George had four children: Boyce Lee Muller, Carl Frederick Muller, Nancy Jeanne Muller Mersereau and Virginia Anne Muller Daponte.
After George's death in 2001, Cathy married a 3rd time to Brent Breedin.
Service #: T-186492
Rank: Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces
Unit: 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bombardment Group, Medium
Entered the Service from: Arizona
Date of Death: 18 August 1943, when the B-25 plane he was the co-pilot of, ditched into the sea after being hit by machinegun fire from Japanese fighters about 2 km off shore and off the west end of Dagua Airfield (But East), on the north coast of New Guinea (now part of Wewak District, East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea).
Status: Missing in Action, Lost at Sea
Memorialized: Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
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*Dunnington Maurice Yancey was the the son of Don N. "Donnie" Napoleon Yancey (1893-1931) and Louise M. Bailey (1898-1970). His father was manager of an auto parts department when he was born. Don was the oldest of eight children.
*name on his birth certificate
1930 United States Federal Census (02 April 1930): Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California (sheet 2A, family 39, 703 South Primrose) – Don M. Yancey (11 Texas).
CADET OFFICERS OF BYRD R. O. T. C. UNIT ANNOUNCED
List of Appointments Made Public by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman.
Cadet officers and noncommissioned officers of the Junior R. O. T. C. unit in the Shreveport high schools were announced today in General Order No. 1, issued by Maj. Floyd M. Hyndman, professor of military science and tactics at the schools. Sgt. Charles C. King is the instructor at Byrd high. The promotions were effective as of September 28.
The list of appointments follows: ... Company A ... Corporals ... Don Maurice Yancey ... Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Thursday, 01 October 1936, page 4.
Don Maurice Yancey graduated from Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana in May 1937.
1940 United States Federal Census (13 April 1940): Shreveport, (Ward 4), Caddo Parish, Louisiana (sheet 10B, household 263, Marshall Street) – Don Yancey (21 Texas, Ambulance Driver, Funeral Home). He had lived in the same place in 1935. Don was a lodger in the Lester F. Hammer (34 Illinois, Funeral Director and Embalmer, Funeral Home) home. He had completed four years of high school.
Don Maurice Yancey (21, 02 January 1919, Wichita Falls, Texas), a resident of 1809 Marshall, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, signed up for his World War II Draft Registration Card (Serial No. 639, Order No. 5805) on 16 October 1940 at Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He was employed by Rose - Neath Funeral Home, L. B. Kilpatrick. His home address was also his work address. Don listed his friend, Mr. Lester Hammer, as the person who would always know his address. He was described as 5' 9½" in height, 143 lbs., with a dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes.
He attended Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport for one year. Don took his initial flight training at the Shreveport municipal airport.
Shreveporter Is One of Four Enlisting in Army
Don M. Yancey of Shreveport was one of four men who enlisted yesterday for regular army assignments at the local army recruiting office. Yancey and Henry E. Guimbeliot of Winnsboro enlisted for air corps duty at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi... Source: The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), Wednesday, 17 September 1941, page 12.
He enlisted at Barksdale Field and qualified as a cadet.
Don M. Yancey (1919 Texas), a resident of Caddo County, Louisiana, reenlisted as a Staff Sergeant (S/N 4060734) in the Army Air Corps on 05 August 1942 at Napier Field, Dothan County, Alabama. His enlistment was for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law. He was single, had completed one year of college and had been working as "attendants, professional and personal service, n.e.c."
Don graduated from the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama on 04 August 1942 as a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of the B-25. He was sent to Greenville Army Air Base in Greenville, South Carolina for additional training.
August 1942
Staff Sergeants Go Up In Planes
Flying Rank For Non-Commissioned Officers Arranged
If you see a clean-cut young soldier in Greenville, wearing a staff sergeant's chevrons and a pair of silver wings, it will pay you to take a second look.
He is probably on of 15 flying non-commissioned officers assigned to the Greenville Army Air Base – with a rank so new as to be almost unique in the Army Air Corps. In fact the flying sergeant you see is from the first group to graduate from a southeast air force training center.
He may be Staff Sgt. William F. Stewart, M. H. Campbell or Don M. Yancey or any one of 12 others. He may speak with a western twang, a southern drawl or in the clipped accents of a northerner.
ARE REAL FLIERS
Whatever he is, he can perform tricks with a plane. He can take it up and bring it down, and he knows what to do with it when the plane is climbing. like a homesick angel, high into the airways. He's a pilot in his own right, and he's learning at the Greenville base the important role he and other pilots will play in settling scores overseas.
All of the flying non-coms are recent graduates of the advanced flying school at Napier Field, Alabama. There they took the same rigorous courses as aviation cadets, drilled beside them, flew beside them, and graduated in the same class with them.
Today they are entitled to staff sergeants pay plus an additional half of that for flight pay. And they are eligible for promotion to the grades of technical sergeant pilot, master sergeant pilot, the newly created grade of flight officer, and perhaps eventually higher.
All of them have come up from the ranks of enlisted men. To get the coveted opportunity to fly, they had to show marked ability, leadership, and mechanical aptitude and pass the stringent physical and mental tests which insure the United States the best air force in the world.
Not only can they fly but many of them can service their own planes, if need be, with a proficiency gained only through long practice. Many of them attended air corps technical schools, for enlisted men, in radio, mechanics, armament, etc., prior to taking flight training.
They're a modest unassuming bunch of fellows. Get them together and they start taking about planes and maybe "the girl back home." "What's there to write about me?" one of them asked.
The boys average only slightly over 21 years – the oldest is 23 and the youngest 19 with only the faintest peach down on his face to qualify as whiskers. And, a hint to the wise, girls, they're single to a man.
HERE THEY ARE
Meet each of them personally: ... DON M. YANCEY, 23, calls Phoenix, Arizona, home. He attended Centenary college, Shreveport; and worked as a funeral director before getting into the service... Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) Sunday, 16 August 1942, page 6.
Don married Lois Catherine McCuen on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1942 in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Boyce Harold McCuen and Jessie Jane Garrison. She was a gifted piano player and teacher.
McCUEN-YANCEY – Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen announce the marriage of their daughter, Lois Catherine, to Don Maurice Yancey, Flight Officer, United States Army Air Forces, on Thursday, the 24th of December, 1942, Greenville, South Carolina. The wedding took place in the chapel of the First Presbyterian church, with Dr. Charles H. Nabers officiating. The couple was attended by Flight Officer and Mrs. D. T. Knight, Jr., of Joplin, Missouri. Mrs. Yancy is descended from the Rasor, Garrison and McCuen families of Greenville and Anderson counties. She is a graduate of Parker high school. Flight Officer Yancey is the son of Mrs. D. N. Yancey and the late Mr. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona. He was educated in the schools of Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Centenary college. Before entering the service, he was connected with Rose-Heath Funeral home in Shreveport. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 17 January 1943, page 15.
Our Fighting Men
ASSIGNMENTS: Don M. Yancey , son of Mrs. L. B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, is now flight officer at the Greenville, South Carolina army air base. He was married Christmas Eve. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Sunday, 10 January 1943, page 3.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey was sent to the Southwest Pacific in December 1942. He was assigned to 405th Bombardment Squadron (nicknamed the "Green Dragons"), 38th Bomber Group, Medium and based at Durand Airfield (17 Mile Drome), near Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were flying new B-25D aircraft.
By August 1943, the Fifth Air Force was supporting the Allies' strategic plan of advance toward the Philippines along the north coast of New Guinea. Its next stage, scheduled for early September, was the seizure of the Japanese base at Lae. The immediate goal of the Fifth Air Force was the neutralization of Japanese airpower concentrated at Wewak, some 300 miles west of Lae. Wewak and its satellite fields at But, Boram, and Dagua, based more than 100 bombers and about 90 fighters. The 500+-mile flight to Wewak was the deepest penetration into Japanese-held territory yet made by medium bombers.
August 1943
Flight Officer, Don M. Yancey was the co-pilot on B-25D-5 Mitchell Serial Number 41-30117 (with call sign KF24A), a twin-engine, medium-range bomber. On 18 August 1943 they took off from 17 Mile Drome near Port Moresby at 0630 to lead a flight of nine B-25 Mitchells from the 405th Bombardment Squadron on a bombing and strafing mission against the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, about 18 miles west of Wewak. Joining the five American crew on board was an observer from the Australian Army, 1st Australian Air Liaison Group, was Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie. Their bomber was loaded with 12 3-bomb clusters of 23-pound "para-frag" bombs, which they would drop on Dagua.
Dagua Airfield had been built by the Japanese in 1943 and was a base for their bomber and fighter planes. Dagua Airfield was an important Japanese airfield for missions against Allied targets.
Two miles from the target, their B-25 was intercepted by numerous Japanese Zeros and the right engine was hit. The wing burst into flames and the plane began losing power as black smoke poured from the engine nacelle and wing. Despite being damaged, Pilot, Major Ralph Cheli continued to lead the formation to the target. From a minimum altitude (150 feet), their squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the airfield. Afterwards the plane turned out to sea where it crash landed in flames at roughly 9:15 a.m about a mile off the west end of Dagua Airfield.
Statement from Japanese Captain Okada Takakazu: "Aircraft forced down on water near East But Aerodrome [Dagua] about 2 km out from the shore and opposite Dagua air strip. Plane blew up and sank."
The crew of B-25 (41-30117):
Pilot: Major Ralph Cheli, S/N O-399830 38th Group Deputy Commander and former Commanding Officer of the 405th Bombardment Squadron (POW, died 06 March 1944) San Francisco, California – Awarded the Medal of Honor
Co-Pilot: Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, S/N T-186492 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Texas
Navigator: 1st Lt. Vincent A. Raney, S/N O-437474 (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Ohio
Radio: T/Sgt. Raymond C. Warren, S/N: 15088088 (POW/MIA) West Virginia
Gunner: S/Sgt Clinton H. Murphree, S/N 6282173 (POW/MIA) Oklahoma
Observer: Captain John Holtham Hamon Massie S/N NX42188, Australian Army, Australian Air Liaison Group (MIA/KIA August 18, 1943) Bellevue Hill, Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 16528
According post-war reports, Co-Pilot Don Yancy, Navigator Vincent A. Raney and Captain Massie, the Australian observer, did not survive the crash. They likely went down with the aircraft. Pilot Ralph Cheli, "badly burned and banged, but otherwise okay", Radioman Raymond Warren and Gunner Clinton H. Murphree were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Dagua Airfield where they were interrogated. The three prisoners were then taken to prison camps in Rabaul.
None of the six men made it home. The three taken prisoners died in captivity.
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Don M. Yancey Listed Missing
Missing in action in the southwest Pacific since August 18 is Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who attended Centenary college here and took his initial flight training at the Municipal airport. The message was received from the commanding general of the fifth air force.
The 23-year-old pilot is the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he made his home in Shreveport. He has been in the southwest Pacific area for nearly a year and was pilot of a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber named "Cathy," in honor of his wife, the former Catherine McKuen, of Greenville, South Carolina, whom he met while in training at the air base there.
Flight Officer Yancey's mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
The young pilot was believed to have been stationed somewhere in New Guinea and it is thought that he probably took part in the August 17 and 18 air battles over Wewak. According to wire dispatches, on the first day of this battle 173 Jap planes were destroyed; on the second day all but 10 of 225 planes sighted there were reported destroyed. Yancey's B-25 apparently failed to return from this mission.
A graduate of Creswell and Byrd high schools here, Yancey attended Centenary for a short time before beginning his flight training at Badgett. He enlisted at Barksdale Field in 1941 and qualified as a cadet. On August 4, 1942, he became a sergeant-pilot and co-pilot of a B-25. Later he was promoted to flight officer and became a pilot. Letters have been received from him recently, and one, dated August 11, was received by his younger brother, Billie, within an hour after receipt of the telegram. This letter contained best wishes and advice for his 18-year-old brother leaving next day to enter the service. Other letters written by Yancey on August 10 and 11 tell of a week's leave in Australia and that he was back feeling fine and ready to get in some more "hot licks against Tojo."
Yancey visited Shreveport early in November, 1942, before going overseas. He flew to Barksdale from Greenville, S. C., and had a brief visit with his relatives here, including his cousins, Frank and Bill Bailey, jr., who were home at the time and both of whom are flyers. His uncle was also a pilot during World War I. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Friday, 03 September 1943, page 4.
Phoenix Flier Listed Missing
Mrs. Louise Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont avenue, was notified last Friday that here eldest son was missing in action, but she didn't tell anyone then because that was the day his younger brother joined the navy.
Yesterday she disclosed that the war department had informed her that Don M. Yancey, flight officer and U. S. Air Forces pilot, was missing in action on August 18 in the Southwest Pacific area. The message carried no further information. He was a flight officer and pilot of a Mitchell bomber.
A native of Shreveport, La., he left Centenary College in that city to join the armed services and trained at South Carolina. He married Catherine McCuen, Greenville, S. C. last Christmas Eve. She is at home with her parents.
The younger brother, William Yancey, has completed his induction at San Diego. Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Thursday, 09 September 1943, page 8 and Sunday, 12 September 1943, page 12.
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Pilot Major Ralph Cheli received the Medal of Honor for his actions. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. While Maj. Cheli was leading his squadron in a dive to attack the heavily defended Dagua Airdrome, intercepting enemy aircraft centered their fire on his plane, causing it to burst into flames while still 2 miles from the objective. His speed would have enabled him to gain necessary altitude to parachute to safety, but this action would have resulted in his formation becoming disorganized and exposed to the enemy. Although a crash was inevitable, he courageously elected to continue leading the attack in his blazing plane. From a minimum altitude, the squadron made a devastating bombing and strafing attack on the target. The mission completed, Maj. Cheli instructed his wingman to lead the formation and crashed into the sea."
Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star for assisting Major Ralph Cheli in keeping the damaged plane flying and on target.
Silver Star - Awarded for actions during the World War II
SYNOPSIS: Don M. Yancey, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed hostile force while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Action during World War II.
General Orders: Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 195 (1943)
Silver Star Is Given To Yancey
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, of 200 Second avenue, Park Place, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry in action by order of Lt. Gen. George C. Kenny, commander of the Allied air force in the Southwest Pacific area, it was learned here yesterday. Flight Officer Yancey has been reported missing in action.
Following is the citation:
"F-O Don M. Yancey (200 Second avenue, Park Place, Greenville, S. C.), for gallantry in action near Wewak, New Guinea, i August, 1943. F-O. Yancey was co-pilot of the airplane which lead formations of both squadrons. Since the pilot of the lead plane was engaged in direction and coordinating the attack of the two squadrons, Flight Officer Yancey piloted the lead airplane before, during and following the attack on the target. When Dagua airdrome was sighted the flights of both squadrons were reformed for the attack by Major Cheli, acting group commander. During this maneuver Flight Officer Yancey's airplane was attacked by about 15 Japanese fighter airplanes. This attack on the lead plane caused the right engine and the right wing to burst into flames. In spite of this, Flight Officer Yancey continued on to the target, leading the attack and made a bombing and strafing run over the full length of the airdrome. Flight Officer Yancey released his bombs on a cluster of Japanese airplanes along the runway, and these were seen to explode and burn briskly. Following this successful attack Flight Officer Yancey landed his blazing airplane in the sea, close to Japanese bases. This water crash-landing was made with skill, and the crew may have survived. The action of Flight Officer Yancey in leading the attack from start to finish, with a burning airplane, is a deed of extraordinary heroism in military operations against the enemy, worthy of emulation by all. Flight Officer Yancey and his crew are missing in action." Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Tuesday, 12 October 1943, page 12.
Don Maurice Yancey Given Silver Star
Flight Officer Don Maurice Yancey, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. William Maurice Bailey, 111 Patton avenue, with whom he formerly made his home, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for "gallantry in action, far above and beyond the call of duty," according to word received here. He was cited in a communication from Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenny, commanding Allied air forces in the southwest Pacific.
The heroic act occurred Aug. 18 in a raid led by Officer Yancey on the Japanese air base at Wewak, and as a result of which he has been reported missing ever since. He is believed to be a prisoner of war of the Japanese.
Yancey's plane, attacked by Japanese fighters, had one of its motors set on fire. The officer continued on to the target despite the burning motor and an attack by a Japanese fighter force, enabling his crew to drop its bombs squarely on the target and then made a crash landing at sea.
Reports from other planes on the mission were that after the crash landing the crew was seen floating in a life boat, and are believed to have been picked up by the Japanese.
Yancey was a graduate of Byrd high school and also attended Centenary college before entering the AAF. Source: The Shreveport Journal (Shreveport, Louisiana), Monday, 13 December 1943, page 15.
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18 August 1943 - "Fifty-three B-25 Mitchell bombers took off on the morning of August 18 for another crack at the enemy airfields surrounding Wewak. Weather remained a problem with heavy clouds and pelting rains. Major Ralph Cheli strained to lead his formation of Green Dragons north, up over 15,000-foot peaks, and then down closer to sea level as the formation neared the target area. Only half the formation remained; more than two dozen B-25s had been forced to turn back home.
Visibility was down to two miles but Ralph Cheli continued determinedly to navigate towards his assigned target at Dagua. Beside him, co-pilot Don Yancy kept track of the instruments and coordinated with the navigator, First Lieutenant Vincent Raney. Standing ready at their guns were Sergeants Raymond Warren and Clinton Murphree, completing the standard 5-man crew for a B-25. On this mission there was a passenger. Captain John H. Massie, an observer with the Royal Australian Air Force, was along for the ride – and the battle. No one doubted that this time the enemy would NOT be caught unawares.
Ahead of the low-level bombers and high above the clouds, Colonel Art Rogers of the 90th squadron lead what remained of his own force of heavy bombers for the first strike. Anti-aircraft fire filled the sky long before the 26 heavies opened their doors to drop their bombs. The airfield was hidden by the low-lying blanket of clouds, but Rogers instructed his bombardier to do his best. He refused to return home without leaving something behind.
By the time Cheli's squadron was diving for their low-level strafing run the enemy was fully alert. Scores of Zeroes and Oscars abandoned pursuit of the now retreating heavy bombers to concentrate on turning back the inbound Mitchells. At least ten Japanese fighters concentrated on the lead bomber in the formation, the shark-toothed B-25 flown by Major Ralph Cheli.
The escorting P-38s zoomed in to intercept but not before a stream of machine gun bullets ripped into Major Cheli's airplane. Two miles from target, fire was streaming from his right engine. Cheli was low, too low to safely bail out of the dying airplane. There was still time to pull up, to break formation and gain altitude for the altitude necessary for a parachute evacuation. Cheli knew that as the flight leader, however, such a diversion by the lead bomber would shred the integrity of the whole flight which now on final approach for the bomb run.
Flames streaming from his airplane, Cheli held his dive. He came in low over the airfield at Dagua through a veritable curtain of anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Below Cheli could see a string of parked Japanese fighters. His crew let loose with their machine-guns, stitching them from end to end, while the remainder of his squadron followed him in to strafe and drop their para-frags. It was the most successful attack of the day.
Behind Major Cheli the airstrip at Dagua lay in ruin, the flames and explosions masked only by the flames streaming behind his own right engine. Major Cheli had led by example, taking the necessary risks to guide his men over their target and demonstrating his own willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the mission. His task finished, it was time to turn the reins over to someone else.
Cheli radioed his wingman and advised him to assume command of the flight while he tried to ditch in the water. The Green Dragons headed for home while a bevy of P-38s tangled with enemy fighters to cover their withdrawal. Behind them they left the falling bomber of their commander...." Source: Home of Heroes - Major Ralph Cheli
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In December 1945 the War Department issued a *FOD (Finding of Death for Flight Officer Don M. Yancey (T-186492).
*FOD - Finding of Death, in the absence of a recovered body, soldiers that were determined to be dead under Public Law 490.
Wife Informed Of Death Of Husband
Mrs. Catherine McCuen Yancey, 16 Neal street, has been notified by the War department that her husband, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, who has been missing in action since an attack on Wewak, New Guinea, August 18, 1943, has been declared legally dead.
Flight Officer Yancey was forced to crash land his plane after a successful bombing mission on a Japanese airdrome, according to information received by Mrs. Yancey from the War department...The Silver Star medal has been presented to Mrs. Yancey in his behalf.
He was the son of Mrs. Louise B. Yancey of Phoenix, Arizona, and the late Captain Don N. Yancey. He was married to Miss Catherine McCuen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. McCuen, 16 Neal street, while he was stationed at the Army Air Base here. Mrs. Yancey is a piano teacher in the Parker school district. Source: The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina), Sunday, 09 December 1945, page 3.
Hero Praised By MacArthur
A message of sympathy has been sent to Mrs. Louise B. Yancey, 1014 East Fairmont street, by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, following the war department announcement that her son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, now is officially listed as dead. He has been missing in action since August 18, 1943.
The bombing mission which proved to be the Phoenician's last was made against the Dagua airdrome at Wewak, New Guinea. For his "extraordinary heroism" on that occasion, Flight Officer Yancey was awarded the Silver Star Medal.
...In his letter to Mrs. Yancey, General MacArthur wrote:
"We have lost a gallant comrade in arms in the death of your son, Flight Officer Don M. Yancey, and I extend my sincere sympathy in your bereavement.
"His service under my command in the Pacific was characterized by his complete loyalty to our country. In giving his life in this crusade for liberty, his name takes its place on the roll of the nation's honored dead." Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona), Tuesday, 05 March 1946, page 7.
Flight Officer Don M. Yancey is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing – United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
After his death, his widow, Mrs. Lois Catherine McCuen Yancey married George Frederick Muller on Friday, 03 September 1948 at the First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.
She and George had four children: Boyce Lee Muller, Carl Frederick Muller, Nancy Jeanne Muller Mersereau and Virginia Anne Muller Daponte.
After George's death in 2001, Cathy married a 3rd time to Brent Breedin.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Arizona.
Family Members
Siblings
