‘Red, there are two ways to die. To die for nothing at all, or to die for life—for thousands of lives’

"It is now the 26th of the month and I still have received no word,” Lt. Don W. Moore wrote to his wife Doris in August 1943 from England. “I am kind of beginning to wonder a little bit.” The newly married couple was expecting a child, and the 25-year-old B-17 pilot from Toledo, Ohio, could hardly wait.

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“I am thinking of you and the Baby almost all the time. I am glad that it won’t be much longer until I shall know. At least they have been keeping us pretty busy lately and that helps a little… Well darling I guess that is about all for today. Here is hoping I get that Cable tomorrow. I am really getting anxious to know whether I am a father of a boy or girl or both. I love you very much. I am hoping to be seeing you again very soon.”

Don’s son, Douglas, was born almost two weeks later on September 7, 1943—the same day Doris received a message from the War Department informing her that Don was missing in action. Now she was the one nervously waiting for news. A former copilot of Don’s wrote Doris a few encouraging words:

Dear Doris,
Congratulations and bless you. Was happy to hear of the healthy arrival of Douglas Gary. Its wonderful and I feel sure that he is quite a comfort to you at this time.
Often I thought of you and searched old records but was unable to get your address.

I am very glad to tell you that Don’s ship went down under the most ideal conditions I have ever seen one go down.

In the first place it was not violently out of control or afire. Ten chutes were counted as having bailed out, which is very good!

Secondly, it was over France not Germany. I cannot discuss relative advantages of this, but believe me that is good.

In the third place, within 5 to 15 minutes after they would have reached the ground darkness would have set in adding to possibilities of escape. Then too it was not cold.

I was there that evening and can say with certainty that these were the conditions.

We have heard nothing, but we never do…. [T]here is always the probability that he may have eluded capture….

So Doris, don’t worry! I think you have no cause for great alarm. Be brave, take good care of Douglas Gary and perhaps before you realize it Don will be there with you…. Ray

Sadly, he would not. Soon after Doris received the letter, in late September, she learned that her husband had been killed—on August 27, 1943, the day of their first wedding anniversary. One by one, letters from his surviving crew started to arrive, each testifying to Don’s heroism. Lt. Robert Coffman, the copilot on Don’s plane, sent the following after returning to the States:

Dear Doris,
After reading all your letters to Mother and knowing Don I really feel that I know you too well to write Mrs. Moore. Hope you don’t mind.

I’m afraid I can tell you very little more about our last mission than you already know. As soon as Don decided for us to go out, Warren gave both of us our chutes and then went out. I held the ship while Don put on his chute and then as I snapped mine on he beckoned me out. We were the only ones left in the front and after I went out I saw no-one until I was captured 4 days later and reached Dulay. There I met Jim Meade, Dave Smith, Warren, and Falkner. It was there that they told us Don and Joe Kosmicky were found in the plane. After that Dave Jim and I were sent to Stalag Luft III and our enlisted men went to 17-B. That was the last we saw of them.

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