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1st Lt Donald W. Hetherington
Pilot

Don was born April 3, 1916 in Newfield, NY, son of Leland and Hazel Hetherington. Don served with C.C.C.-Civilian Conservation Corp. in Glacier National Park and later worked for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, CA.

In addition to his service with the 39th BG Don notes:

"I was out of the service for nine months and returned to active duty on Detached Service with the Army at Ft. Lewis, WA, and then with the US Military Government in Korea. I was assigned back to the AF in November 1948 to the 314th Air Division in Japan. I was a command pilot. My last assignment was at Randolph Air Force Base. I was retired after twenty-six years as a Lt. Colonel following a heart attack. I was director of the Field Training Program with 200 Detachments and 4000 instructors."

After his military retirement he worked for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission as a counselor for 11 years. He was a life member of DAV, VFW, 20th Air Force, 39th Bomb Group Association and an active American Red Cross disaster volunteer.

Hetherington's family included his wife Lorna, 7 children and 8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.

Lt Col Donald W. Hetherington, USAF (ret) passed away on 31 March 2002. On 3 April 2002 he was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.

If anyone has any additional information about Donald Hetherington or a member of his crew please contact updates@39th.org


Sources: "History of the 39th Bomb Group"; San Antonio Express News Obituary