9Sep1919 – 9May1944
Edison Days
Donald is pictured in the “In Memoriam” section of the 1946 Edison Wizard yearbook. A newspaper article announcing his death mentions that he attended Edison, but graduated from Vocational High School. No pictures of his time at Edison have been located.
Military Service
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Branch: United States Army Air Corps
Donald enlisted in the Army in 1941. He was originally in the medical corps stationed at Camp Polk in Louisiana. In 1942 he was accepted into flight training. He graduated from pre-flight school in San Antonio, Texas in December 1942.
Donald attended primary flight training at Altus Army Air Field in Altus, OK. He earned his pilot’s wings in June 1943.
In September 1943 Donald was reassigned as a flight instructor at the same air base where he earned his wings.
Shortly thereafter Donald returned to Minnesota, to get married.
On 9May1944 Donald was killed in a mid-air collision.
Donald is buried at the Church of St. Anne cemetery in Hamel, MN.
Edison Heroes 