Donald Freer was shot down Dec. 5 1944 over Berlin

Staff report

HOWLAND

Donald R. Freer, an Army Air Corps World War II veteran and former prisoner of war, was honored at the Ernie Hall Aviation Museum on Friday, the date in 1944 when he was shot down in combat over Berlin, Germany, 70 years ago.

Freer, a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and a longtime Howland resident, was commissioned in early 1944 as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.

He joined the 322nd Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group as a B-17 pilot and completed 26 combat missions from his base at Bassingbourn, England.

It was during his 27th mission that Freer’s plane, dubbed “Easy Does It,” was shot down over Berlin. Freer was captured by German forces and remained a prisoner of war until liberation on May 15, 1945. After the war, Freer remained a member of the Air Force Reserves.

He graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Freer resumed working for Packard Electric, where he met his wife, Mary. They were married in 1956.

That same year, Freer joined Rocketdyne, a division of North American Aviation, where he contributed to the space program. He was instrumental in testing and developing Jupiter rockets and modified V-2 engines.

During his management tenure with Rocketdyne, Freer primarily was based in Huntsville, Ala., and Cape Canaveral, Fla., where he supported the efforts of the Apollo missions. He continued working for various defense contractors following the Space Race.

The Freers live in Howland. They have a son, Thomas, of Chicago; a daughter, Susan Boye of Howland; and grandchildren, Kayla and Kristen Boye.

He remains deeply interested in aviation, technology, science, literature, and current events. He regularly attends the reunions of the 91st Bomb Group Memorial Association and says he values his experiences serving in the Armed Forces.

Friday’s event was attended by some 40 friends and family members.