PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS JACOB CASPER DURNER JR.; U.S. NAVY

August 19, 1921 (Norwalk, CT) – July 7, 1943; 21 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 10 East Rocks Road
Service number: 6421589
Unit: Torpedo Squadron 21
Missing In Action (MIA);

Born to Jacob C. Sr. (1894-1945) and Annabelle Elizabeth McKenzie Durner (1895-1988). Two sisters Cornelia Dorothy (1919-1991) and Annabelle Elizabeth Durner Sheehan (1924-1999).

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Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

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Norwalk High School Class of ’39

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From the Connecticut Military Portrait Collection, Connecticut State Library, Identifier: PG570; used with permission

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DURNER, Jacob C Jr, ARM2, 6421589, USNR, from Connecticut, location Solomon Islands, missing, date of loss July 7, 1943 (pm) + DURNER, Jacob C, Aviation Radioman Second Class, 6421589, USN, from Connecticut, Jul-43, Manila American Cemetery (bm) + DURNER, Jacob Casper, Jr., Aviation Radioman 2c, USNR. Father, Mr. Jacob Casper Durner, Sr., 10 East Rocks Road, Norwalk, Conn (na) + DURNER, Jacob C, Jr, ARM2, 6421589, Torpedo Squadron 21, New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation, July 7, 1943, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd July 7, 1943 (bp2)

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Contributed by Joe F. Hamrick, of Lufkin, Texas. Used with permission.

On July 7, 1943, at the age of 23, Lt. (jg) Malcolm “Chile” McKinney and his turret gunner (Durner) were killed in action flying the TBF-1 Avenger with bureau number 06063. The radioman survived. It was a night mission against enemy shipping, a common tactic on moonlit nights in the Pacific. American radar was good at detecting surface ships, but also helpful was the white propeller wash that trailed behind every moving ship’s stern which became a long “pointer” for dive bombers, both American and Japanese. The CAG-21 War Diary describes Chile’s last mission. “7 July 1943: 1720 [5:20 pm takeoff] – 2230 [10:30 pm return]: 3 TBF’s from VT-21 proceeded to the Buin-Kahili area on an anti-shipping strike. There was reported to be a large number of enemy ships in this area. One ship was observed in the harbor with all planes making a run on it. Considerable AA [antiaircraft fire] was encountered from the ship with two planes suffering considerable damage. McKinney was attacked by an enemy plane and his plane was further damaged and his turret gunner mortally wounded. McKinney was unable to control his plane and crashed upon attempting a water landing. The radioman was rescued but no trace was found of the pilot. Our losses – 1 dead; 1 missing in action; 1 plane. Enemy losses – 1 DD [destroyer] hit and probably sunk.” The Cooper, TX newspaper adds, “…The radioman in Lieut. McKinney’s crew was rescued unconscious and later recalled that the plane had made a crash landing at sea.” The War Diary of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Daily Summary for July 1943, stated that on 7 July “3 TBFs and 1 Hudson [A-29 Lockheed] attacked an enemy DD west of MOILI POINT [Moila Point, southwestern-most tip of Bougainville Island]. No hits were observed. The Hudson is missing and 1 TBF crashed with pilot and gunner missing.”

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From The Norwalk Hour July 23, 1943

Aviation Radioman Jacob “Jackie” C. Durner Jr., 21-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Casper Durner of 10 East Rocks Road, was reported today as killed in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country by the U.S. Navy Department. Radioman Durner had been on active duty in the South Pacific with the U.S. Navy for the past ten months. The family received a telegram from the Naval Department on Wednesday telling of the boy’s death. “Jackie” as he was known to his many friends in Norwalk, was a well-known athlete, having starred in soccer, football, basketball, and baseball at Norwalk High School. He was rated as one of the outstanding pole vaulters in Connecticut. He graduated from Norwalk High School in June of 1939 and enlisted in the Navy in April 1942. Before enlistment, he was a shipping clerk for J and J Cash, Inc. Following his “boot” training, Jackie was given a four-month course at the Naval Training School, Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington. He graduated on September 18, 1942, with a rating of Aviation Radioman, 3rd Class. He left immediately for sea duty. No particulars of the death were disclosed by the Navy Department.

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Memorialized at Sea Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, 1634 McKinley Rd, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

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