This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Souder, Donald S., MSgt.
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Donald S. Souder, 90, of Lower Paxton Twp., passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 at home surrounded by his devoted children.
Born August 22, 1921 in Harrisburg, he was a son of Roy and Hulda (Drenning) Souder.
He retired as a lineman with Western Electric after 35 years of service.
Don was a WWII U.S. Air Force veteran, flying 35 missions in the 8th Air Force, 92nd Bombardment Group, and he was awarded the Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a retired Master Sergeant with the U.S. Air Force National Guard, Unit 211.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 730 and was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
His loving wife of 65 years, Martha C. Souder, preceded him in death along with his two brothers, Bob and Bill.
Surviving are four sons, Don, Mike, Mark and Matt (Kim); a daughter, Debra (Chuck Malone) Kruger; eight grandchildren who will truly miss him, Mike, Mark, Jacquelyn, Chase, Gage, Jodelle, Dusty and Tiffany; two great grandsons, Xavier and DJ, who could light up his eyes till the end; a sister-in-law, Ginny and her three girls, Bonnie, Robbie and Randee; and a niece, Vicki Wagner.
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 4855 Londonderry Rd., Harrisburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
"92nd Bomb Group. I have a Donald S. Souder, waist gunner, on B-17 # 42-38156, part of Yanitelli crew. He was from the 325th Bomb Squadron."
1942-1946, B-17 Flying Fortress
From Year 1942
To Year 1946
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
B-17 Flying Fortress Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications
Model Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Length 74.74 ft | 22.78 m Width 103.74 ft | 31.62 m Height 19.09 ft | 5.82 m Engine(s) 4 x Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial piston engines generating 1,200 hp each. Empty Weight 36,136 lbs | 16,391 kg MTOW 72,003 lbs | 32,660 kg Max Speed 287 mph | 462 km/h | 249 kts Max Range 2,001 miles | 3,220 km Ceiling 35,597 ft | 10,850 m | 6.7 miles Climb Rate 540.5 ft/min (164.7 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered "belly" turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left front "cheek" position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right front "cheek" position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left waist position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right waist position 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in radio operator's midship position (removed on later models) 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in powered chin turret (later models)
Maximum internal bombload of 7,983 kg (17,600 lbs). Accommodations 10 Operators United Kingdom and the United States of America.