This is a POW Air Medal, Purple Heart group to 2nd Lt. Donald W. Callahan. He was the Navigator for his B17F that was shot down on October 10, 1943 right after bombing Munster, Germany. This was Callahan's 17th mission. Of the crew of 10, the tail gunner was killed outright by the flak that exploded at the tail; the co-pilot's chute did not open, so he was killed. The pilot, William Smith, did not have time to bail out before the plane exploded in mid-air. The information from NARA indicates that Callahan was held in "Stalag 7A Moosburg, Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11)". The Missing Air Crew report lists his organization as stationed at "Station 153", probably a base in England.
The Missing Air Crew Report, and a low quality photograph of the entire crew accompany this group. The aircraft serial number was 23426, which was accepted by the USAAF on June 15, 1943. Donald Callahan was born October 16, 1919, and died August 18, 1991.
