Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Rank
Colonel
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Last Primary AFSC/MOS
1021A-Pilot
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Last AFSC Group
Aircrew
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Primary Unit
1966-1973, POW North Vietnam
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Service Years
1951 - 1977
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
 Texas | |
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Year of Birth 1929 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Burns, Donald Ray, Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Mineral Wells, Texas |
Last Address Williamsburg, Virginia
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Date of Passing Apr 26, 1996 |
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Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, Virginia |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section 8 Site 8303 |
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Last Known Activity He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on March 24, 1951, and served in TX, FL, NY, Japan, GA, SC, England, France, NM, Vietnam, AL, and VA before his retirement from the Air Force on May 1, 1977.
He spent 2,285 days as a POW in North Vietnam.
His Silver Star citation:
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Donald Ray Burns (AFSN: FR-44702), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during December 1966, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Colonel Burns resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: Dec-66
Service: Air Force
Rank: Colonel
Division: Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)
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Other Comments: Sources:
http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1036
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38962068
https://www.pownetwork.org/bios/b/b107.htm
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24160
https://www.ancestry.com
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FromYear 1973 | ToYear 1974 |
College Air War College |
Major unknown |
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Patch
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Contact Phone Number
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Contact Email
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Year Established
0
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Address
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Website
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