W. C. Pilot Dies in Crash
Lt. Meyer, 33, Had Been on Visit in City
Lt. Donald D. Meyer, 33, World War II veteran and an officer in the U.S. Air Force was killed yesterday afternoon at 2:30 in a forced landing crash of his single engine trainer army plane near Chariton.
He had been home to visit his relatives in Webster City, arriving here Saturday, after having landed the plane at Des Moines. He returned to the Des Moines airport Sunday noon and the crash occurred shortly after the plane had started on its return trip to Selma, Ala.
Airman First Class John B. Piper of Fort Dodge, who had accompanied Lt. Meyer on his flight to Des Moines and was returning to Alabama with him, was listed as seriously injured.
According to the Associated Press, the crash was caused when an oil line broke. The plane came down on the Tom Jennings farm southeast of Chariton, and Chariton National Guardsmen were called to guard the wreckage.
Funeral services are pending with Foster's funeral home in charge.
Donald D. Meyer was born Feb. 1, 1919 at Webster City, and was graduated from high school here with the class of 1936. He was employed in Webster City before going into farming. Following that he entered the army and served during World War II.
After his discharge he worked in Webster City for several years before re-enlisting in the air force.
He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter; his mother, Mrs. Otto Arnold of this city; his father, H. J. (Dick) Meyer of Webster City; one brother, Harley Meyer of this city; two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth (Margaret) Hadaway and Mrs. H. F. (Alice) Hutson, both of this city.
Lt. Meyer was baptized in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran church ---here.
Source: The Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, July 7, 1952
Donald Dietrich Meyer was born Feb. 1, 1919 to Heyo J. ‘Dick’ and Jessie Leah Cornett Meyer (Arnold). He died July 6, 1952, and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Lt. Meyer was a member of Co. E, 133rd Infantry, 34th Division, U.S. Army and served in World War II.
Source: ancestry.com
