Douglas R. Bitterle
Royal Oak, Michigan
Born October 12, 1921
First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force
Service Number AO721021
Killed in Action
Died February 17, 1951 in Korea. First Lieutenant Bitterle was the co-pilot of a B-26B Invader bomber with the 8th Bomber Squadron, 3rd Bomber Group. On February 17, 1951, while over the target area on a night intrusion mission, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded killing all on board. His remains were recovered. First Lieutenant Bitterle was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Source: Korean War Honor Roll, American Battle Monuments Commission