Donald served as a Second Lieutenant & Co-Pilot on RAD #01981, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141, Marine Aircraft Group 25, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

He resided in Tehachapi County, California prior to the war.

RAD #01981 took off, with a crew of "5" and "3" passengers, from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. It was noted at takeoff that they had a "heavy load" and that the weather conditions included poor visibility. The Marine Corps RAD was a modified C-47 Skytrain.

RAD #01981, due to the poor visibility and one engine stalling, struck Ousassio Hill near Noumea ( known afterwards as "Kimball's Hill" ). All eight of the crew were killed in this accidental airplane crash that occurred 4 miles south of Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands at 0130 hrs.

Donald was Killed in the "Line Of Duty" in this crash during the war.

Service # O-9965

Son of Mrs. Gladys M. Griffin who resided in Tehachapi, California.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marines that perished on RAD #01981:

Fromhold, William F., Jr. ~ Pvt, Passenger, AL
Giczkowski, Edward F. ~ Sgt, Passenger, NY
Griffin, Donald E. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA
Kimball, Walter F. ~ Maj, Pilot, CA
Merriner, Harry R. ~ Corp, Passenger, PA
Mottram, Charles W., Jr. ~ Corp, Crew Chief, OH
Troup, John R. ~ Corp, Navigator, CA
Vestal, Charles D. ~ Pfc, Radio Operator, NE

( Crew Report by: Russ Pickett )

Donald served as a Second Lieutenant & Co-Pilot on RAD #01981, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 141, Marine Aircraft Group 25, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

He resided in Tehachapi County, California prior to the war.

RAD #01981 took off, with a crew of "5" and "3" passengers, from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. It was noted at takeoff that they had a "heavy load" and that the weather conditions included poor visibility. The Marine Corps RAD was a modified C-47 Skytrain.

RAD #01981, due to the poor visibility and one engine stalling, struck Ousassio Hill near Noumea ( known afterwards as "Kimball's Hill" ). All eight of the crew were killed in this accidental airplane crash that occurred 4 miles south of Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands at 0130 hrs.

Donald was Killed in the "Line Of Duty" in this crash during the war.

Service # O-9965

Son of Mrs. Gladys M. Griffin who resided in Tehachapi, California.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marines that perished on RAD #01981:

Fromhold, William F., Jr. ~ Pvt, Passenger, AL
Giczkowski, Edward F. ~ Sgt, Passenger, NY
Griffin, Donald E. ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, CA
Kimball, Walter F. ~ Maj, Pilot, CA
Merriner, Harry R. ~ Corp, Passenger, PA
Mottram, Charles W., Jr. ~ Corp, Crew Chief, OH
Troup, John R. ~ Corp, Navigator, CA
Vestal, Charles D. ~ Pfc, Radio Operator, NE

( Crew Report by: Russ Pickett )