 |
| Captain Don Scott, an All-American college football quarterback, was a B-26 pilot in the 557th Bomb Squadron. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54989972/donald-f-scott/photo http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/21881 |
Donald F. Scott never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on May 4, 1919 in Ohio. His parents Charlie and Anna were also both born in Ohio. His father worked as a truck driver and later ran a gas station. Donald had a younger sister. In high school Don was a two-time all-state footballer, first as a tackle and then in the backfield. He was also a star on the basketball team. He attended Ohio State University where he became a two-time All-American, leading his team to the Big 10 Conference title in 1940 while playing quarterback. He was called the most versatile back in all of college football. The Chicago Bears selected him as the ninth overall selection of the 1941 draft. However, Don, who had participated in the Civil Air Patrol while in college, decided to join the Army Air Forces. At some point he married Leone Kochenderfer. They had one son.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 15, 1941. He was promoted to the rank of captain and served as a pilot in the 557th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. It deployed for England in June 1943. It specialized in bombing enemy airfields and V-weapon sites.
On October 1, 1943 Captain Scott was test flying the B-26 known as 9 Nina with the Ruby Ts. Both engines failed and it crashed near North Weald, Essex in England. Captain Scott and two other airmen were killed.
His grave is at Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, Ohio. His son died of a pancreas disease in 1948. I don't know what happened to his widow after that.
The Ohio State University Airport was renamed Don Scott Field. Canton City School's track field was also named Don Scott Field. In 2000 Scott was voted as one of five quarterbacks to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team.
Last year on this date I profiled Daniel Bradshaw, 44th Infantry Division. You can read about Daniel here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
No comments:
Post a Comment