World War II Honoree

Donald E. Beard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Honored By

John W. Brixius

Relationship

Friend

SERVED FROM JANUARY 1941 TO JUNE 8, 1945. WENT TO SCHOOL TO BECOME AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. STATIONED IN PANAMA, WORKED ON P-26 FIGHTER PLANES. WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT, HE WAS PUTTING MACHINE GUNS AND BOMBS ON THE AIRCRAFT FOR USE ON SUBMARINE PATROL IN THE AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS AT CUBA WHEN THEY HAD TO BUILD A B-29 HANGAR AT BATISTA AIRPORT.