Cleland, Deston Kenneth

Individual Personnel Data
Name Cleland, Deston Kenneth, "Duke"   ‡
⇗
Rank Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 39536635   ‡
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #146 dated 17 November 1943, effective 17 November 1943.
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #72, effective 16 April 1944.
  • Transferred to a non-384th unit, per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report - 12th Reinforcement Depot, AAF Station 591, effective 20 July 1944.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 20 July 1944
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received on 24 April 1944 per General Orders #66, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 3 May 1944.
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism on 24 April 1944
Air Medal wit oak leaf clusters.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. DESTON K. CLELAND, 39536635, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For heroism while serving as a Tail Gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 24 April 1944. Sergeant Cleland's aircraft was intercepted by an unusually large number of enemy fighter planes and engaged by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire over a long period of time. Although severely wounded early in the engagement and despite intense pain, Sergeant Cleland, with total disregard for his own personal safety, remained at his gun position, repeatedly driving off enemy fighter planes. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sergeant Cleland on this occasion reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from California. Source: 1st Bomb Division General Order #75,6 June 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 28 May 1915
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #29 dated 12 February 1944.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #114 dated 16 June 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Knapp, Paul Bernard⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Pulliam, Lyle James⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Colarusso, Alfred James⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Austin, Raymond Lee, Jr⇗BombardierCT
PVT. Stahl, Bruce Warren⇗Radio Operator / GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Jakway, James Allen⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Mason, Covert Nathan⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Cleland, Deston Kenneth, "Duke"Tail GunnerCT
SGT. LaSalle, Angelo Aloysius⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Cates, Clay Franklin⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 30 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
41⇗ 11 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑31274⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
44⇗ 20 December 1943 Target: Port Area/Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Tail Gunner 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
46⇗ 24 December 1943 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Croisette, France 		Tail Gunner 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
47⇗ 30 December 1943 Target: I. G. Farben Industrie, Chemical/Synthetic Rubber Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑39888⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Briefed to fly in high Squadron of composite group, flew #7 of lead Squadron of 379th BG, landed away at Alconbury due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
49⇗ 4 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
55⇗ 29 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑31346⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group. Dropped fifty parcels of nickles (propaganda pamphlets) plus 6x500 GP on target.
Sortie Report⇗
57⇗ 3 February 1944 Target: Submarines (under construction)
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑29703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group.
Sortie Report⇗
58⇗ 4 February 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑37848⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High group, 41st B Combat Wing. Turned back at 1044 just off The Naze because #2 and #3 engines were smoking and the gas mixture was set too rich.
Sortie Report⇗
61⇗ 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑29703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High squadron. Landed away at RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex, on return due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
69⇗ 2 March 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant and Machine Shop
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑37789⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1010 hrs when #2 supercharger ran away at altitude and could not be controlled until below 1,500'.
Sortie Report⇗
70⇗ 3 March 1944 Target: Roller-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑37885⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back because oil pressure dropped on #3 engine, requiring it to be feathered immediately.
Sortie Report⇗
71⇗ 4 March 1944 Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑31375⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
72⇗ 6 March 1944 Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑37785⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1117 hrs because #3 supercharger ran away and could not be controlled.
Sortie Report⇗
74⇗ 9 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑31495⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
77⇗ 19 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-2 Storage and Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
78⇗ 20 March 1944 Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
79⇗ 22 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Assembly Plant at Annahof Airfield
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
81⇗ 24 March 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
82⇗ 26 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Le Grismont, Rebecques, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
83⇗ 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
94 Group.
Sortie Report⇗
85⇗ 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
87⇗ 10 April 1944 Target: Evere Airfield (50°54'3"N 4°20'9"E)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
88⇗ 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
92⇗ 20 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
B Wing, High Group.
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
94⇗ 24 April 1944 Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
113⇗ 23 May 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑107148⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
115⇗ 25 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Sarreguemines and Blainville-sur-l'Eau, France 		Tail Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
118⇗ 28 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
119⇗ 29 May 1944 Target: Focke-Wulf Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Krzesiny District, Poznań, Poland 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Wing Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
125⇗ 4 June 1944 Target: Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: Hardelot (Boulogne area), France 		Togglier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
127⇗ 6 June 1944 Target: Rocket Gun Installation
Type: Military
Location: 'Meuvaines' (actually, 1.3 miles SE of Crépon), France 		Togglier 42‑97521⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
134⇗ 13 June 1944 Target: Dreux Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux, France 		Togglier 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
135⇗ 14 June 1944 Target: Coulommiers Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Coulommiers, France 		Togglier 44‑6109⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Wing, High Group.
Sortie Report⇗

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