May 12, 1924 (Port Chester, NY) – December 29, 1944; 20 years old
Married Flora Virginia Hess (1913-1989) of Bridgeport, Ohio, on May 17, 1944, in Norwalk, CT
Last local address: 10 Beauford Road, Norwalk
Enlisted March 4, 1943
Service number: 31326885
Unit: 553rd Bombardment Squadron, 386th Bombardment Group
Family information was difficult to find. In the 1930 and 1940 census, William lived with his grandmother, Catherine Kraft (1869-?). This matches a New York birth record for William J. Kraft on May 12, 1924, in Port Chester. On his WWII draft card, he is living with Harold (1902-1970) and Edith Nichols O’Donnell (1906-?) on Beauford Road in Norwalk. Written on the card is “legally Kraft.”
UPDATE IN 2024: This was received by direct message through this website. I appreciate the contribution from William O’Donnell’s great-nephew, Shawn Kraft Boyle. Used with permission:
“I’m writing to you because you wrote a piece on my Grandfather’s (Edward Kraft) brother (William Joseph O’Donnell) in 2020. Through the years I have tried to research his family but have come up with very little until your article. Edith O’Donnell was their mother and put my grandfather and his younger brother, Charlie, in an orphanage A little before 1930 because their father (Also William Kraft) left her and the kids. William was the oldest and went to live with Catherine Kraft, their paternal grandmother. Edith O’Donnell, their mother, married Howard O’Donnell but never got the boys back. My grandfather and Charlie grew up in foster homes, and I am assuming William found Edith after his grandmother Catherine died in 1940. I met Edith when I was young when she came back into my grandfather’s life, and I knew her as my great-grandmother until she passed away. Thank you so much for writing about my great-uncle. If you have any other info on him I would love to hear it. Thanks again! Shawn Kraft Boyle
Crew member on a Martin B-26G Marauder serial #44-67827 crashed into a hill near Neuilly, France, on returning to base December 29, 1944. Other crew were:
Pilot, 2d Lt Robert Wayne “Rabbit” Bledsoe; Vanndale, AR
Crew Chief, Sergeant Frederick Jesse Beadle; Butte, MT
Radioman, Sgt Charles J. Huling; Watertown, WI
Mechanic, Sgt Lionel G. Aguirre; Ozona, TX
Sergeant William Joseph O’Donnell; Norwalk, CT
On a plaque dedicated to the 386th Bomb Group in Bernes-sur-Oise, France
386TH BOMB GROUP (M)
NINTH AIR FORCE
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES
MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER DOUGLAS A-26 INVADER
IN MEMORY OF THOSE GALLANT MEN WHO MADE
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE AND OF THEIR COMRADES WHO
SURVIVED COMBAT OPERATIONS FROM AAF STATION A-60,
THE PERSAN-BEAUMONT AIRPORT
OCTOBER 2, 1944 – APRIL 9, 1945
AND IN TRIBUTE TO THE STRENGTH, COURAGE
AND RESISTANCE OF THE CITIZENS OF THE AREA
WHO EXPERIENCED THE HORRORS OF WAR
DEDICATED OCTOBER 2, 1994
Plaque #3 includes 60 names, including the entire crew of B-26G #44-67827.
Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/ybYGXuGheKNZohC5A
Buried at Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York; Plot K, Grave 17301. Photo by webmaster.
END
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 
William J. O’Donnell was my grandmother, Flora Virginia Hess’ husband from May 17, 1944 until his passing December 29, 1944. I too have been searching for information and photos. Virginia was an amazing and accomplished woman and William would have been proud.
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Kimberly, I will e-mail you everything I have on William J. O’Donnell. Thank you for your comment and adding another layer to his story.
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