Yankee Doodle Dandy had a charmed life for 100 missions. Although the enemy had attacked her persistantly, she had shaken them off like bothersome fleas, destroying seven Zekes in her year of life. On April 12, 1944, during her 101st mission, she straggled from formation while over Hollandia, and three Zekes shot her down. Her demise was genuinely mourned as only an old and faithful friend can be mourned..