Donald Arthur Dorman

Donald Arthur Dorman, born November 2, 1923 in Southington, CT., was the son of William Dorman and Mary Lillian (Parkin) Dorman, grandson of Arthur and Genevieve Parkin.

While serving in the Army Air Force, in World War II, he was Technical Sergeant in the 429th Bomber Squadron, on a mission to bomb an oil refinery located in Ruhland, Germany. Donald was with 10 other crew members in a B-17G Flying Fortress, serving as Engineer/Upper turret gunner on March 22, 1945, when the bomber was engaged by several German fighter aircraft over Poland. The crew was forced to bail out when the plane was critically damaged. They were fired upon as they parachuted to the ground. Only 2 survived the strafing and Donald was declared MIA until after investigations took place at the crash site in Glinica, Poland, where his remains were discovered and subsequently identified following extensive analysis.

His Commendations and Awards include: Silver Star, Air Medal with three bronze Oak Leaf clusters, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze Service Stars, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and U. S. Army Air Force Aerial Gunner Badge Wings.

The Silver Star was awarded for gallantry in action. Sergeant Dorman participated in a bombing mission against strategic enemy installations in Germany. At the target they were opposed by the enemy with a concentrated barrage of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire. One of the bombs in the bomb bay became faulty and the fuse spinner became free. Despite the grave danger and at very high altitude without oxygen, Sgt. Dorman succeeded in stopping the revolving spinner and pushed off the bomb which threatened to explode and ruin the ship and probably take the lives of the crew. Due to extreme cold both of Sgt. Dorman’s hands were frozen and when he left the bomb bay he became unconscious because of lack of oxygen.

At 21 years old, he was unmarried and had no children, but nevertheless he was greatly missed and often spoken of by his large family over the span of many years.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 23, 2026 at the First Congregational Church, 37 Main St., Southington. Please meet directly at church. He will finally be laid to a well-deserved rest with full military honors at Oak Hill Cemetery, 95 Flanders St., Southington.  A Celebration of Donald's Life will immediately follow the burial at the Elks's Lodge #1669, 114 Main St., Southington. Calling hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 22, 2026 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville, CT. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.