Major
Donald A. Larson, for whom the base was named, was
from Yakima, Washington. He was killed 4 August 1944
on a fighter mission over Germany while attached to
the 505th Fighter Squadron. He had flown 57 combat
missions when his P-47 Thunderbolt was shot down and
crashed near Ulzen, Germany. He is buried in the U.S.
Military Cemetery at Neuville-en-Condroz, nine miles
west of Leige, Belgium.
His
medals and decorations include the Silver Star,
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air
Medal with three clusters, Purple Heart, American
Defense Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon with two
Bronze Stars, American Theater Ribbon and Victory
Medal.
Major
Larson enlisted as a flying cadet at McChord Field,
Tacoma, Washington in April 1941. He had flight
training in California and went overseas in January
1944.
