Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/86255
Age:
20
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
434 Sqdn.
Birth:
April 29, 1923
Essex County, Ontario
Enlistment:
November 3, 1942
Windsor, Ontario
Death:
April 28, 1944
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
6. A. 11.
Additional information
He was the son of Gore Charles and Lottie May (née Tofflemire) Pastorius. Donald was one of thirteen children, and one of five sons who served in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War. Donald's brothers who also served were - Francis Gore, Elihue Ira, Gordon Curry and Ralph Charles. Donald died one day short of his 21st birthday. His personal belongings were sent home to the farm on the 7th Concession outside of Essex, Ontario on the same day that his brother Ralph Charles returned home. Donald played guitar and took it with him overseas. The Halifax aircraft in which he flew, was shot down by Heinz Schnaufer, one of Germany's top night fighter pilots.
Additional citations
Pilot's Flying Badge earned 6 August 1943. Operational Wings awarded posthumously on 7 November 1946. 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, General Service Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Digital gallery of Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
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Photo of Donald Arthur Pastorius
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Photo of Donald Arthur Pastorius
Donald Arthur Pastorius 1923 - 1944 -
Photo of Donald Pastorius and family
Gore Charles Pastorius with four of his sons who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. This picture was taken in Essex, Ontario in 1942 before the boys went overseas. From left, Ralph Pastorius, Gordon Pastorius, Hugh Pastorius, Gore Charles Pastorius and on the far right Donald Pastorius. -
Photo of Pastorius Family
Donald Arthur Pastorius was born April 29, 1923 to parents Lottie May and Gore Charles Pastorius. In this photo Donald is the baby in his mother's arms. By 1935, Donald was one of thirteen children. -
Memorial Cross
Erected in grateful recognition of valour and courage of these men of Cottam and Gosfield North who served in the First and Second World War. Cottam Women's Institute. This photo was taken November 11, 2000 at Cottam Cemetery, Cottam, Ontario. -
Headstone of D. A. Pastorius
Pilot Officer D. A. Pastorius Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, 28th April 1944. Buried at Heverlee War Cemetery, Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium. -
Heverlee War Cemetery
Heverlee War Cemetery, Leuven, Belgium, in August 2001. -
Citation
This is to certify that Pilot Officer D. A. Pastorius has been posthumously awarded the Operational Wings of the Royal Canadian Air Force in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy. Dated this Fifth day of November, 1946. -
Memorial
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Photo of DONALD ARTHUR PASTORIUS
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Photo of DONALD ARTHUR PASTORIUS
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Service Book
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Correspondence
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Identification
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Document
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Correspondence
Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer Donald Arthur Pastorius
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 412 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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