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Contact Info
Home Town Mineral Wells, Texas
Last Address Williamsburg, Virginia
Date of Passing Apr 26, 1996
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
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.
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.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Douglas B-66 Destroyer Length 75.13 ft | 22.90 m Width 72.51 ft | 22.10 m Height 23.62 ft | 7.20 m Engine(s) 2 x Allison J71-A-11 / J71-A-13 turbojet engines generating 10,200lbs of thrust each. Empty Weight 42,549 lbs | 19,300 kg MTOW 83,776 lbs | 38,000 kg Max Speed 634 mph | 1,020 km/h | 551 kts Max Range 2,467 miles | 3,970 km Ceiling 39,370 ft | 12,000 m | 7.5 miles Climb Rate 5,000 ft/min (1,524 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 2 x 20mm cannons in remote-operated tail turret assembly.
Up to 15,000lbs of internal ordnance Accommodations 3
