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Contact Info
Home Town Bridger, Montana
Last Address Missoula, Montana
Date of Passing Jun 22, 2016
Location of Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens - Billings, Montana
He was the flight engineer/gunner in crew #7 on the Doolittle Raid. He was the only member of his crew not injured in the ditching of their aircraft. He was of great help to his crewmates and was awarded the Silver Star for his efforts. Later he served in England and North Africa but his units are unknown.
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Corporal David J. Thatcher (ASN: 19019573), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), on 18 April 1942, in China. Corporal Thatcher aided the crew of Lieutenant Lawson's bomber evade Japanese troops following their crash-landing in China subsequent to the raid.
Division: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force Crew No. 7 (Plane #40-2261, "The Ruptured Duck", target Tokyo) 95th Bomb Sq. L-R: Lt. Charles L. McClure, navigator; Lt. Ted W. Lawson, pilot; Lt. Robert S. Clever, bombardier; Lt. Dean Davenport, copilot; Sgt. David J. Thatcher, flight engineer/gunner. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Corporal David J. Thatcher (ASN: 19019573), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Engineer/Gunner of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Corporal Thatcher with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Martin B-26 Marauder Length 58.23 ft | 17.75 m Width 64.99 ft | 19.81 m Height 19.82 ft | 6.04 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-41 Double-Wasp air-cooled radial-piston engines generating 2,000hp each. Empty Weight 22,381 lbs | 10,152 kg MTOW 34,200 lbs | 15,513 kg Max Speed 282 mph | 454 km/h | 245 kts Max Range 675 miles | 1,086 km Ceiling 23,507 ft | 7,165 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate 1,250 ft/min (381 m/min) Hardpoints 1 Armament 1 x 7.7mm machine gun OR 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in nose. 1 x 7.7mm machine gun in ventral position OR 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in side fuselage position. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail position
Internal Bombload Capacity of up to 5,200lbs (2,359kg). Accommodations 7 Operators France (Free French Air Force), South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
