Don was born in Eau Claire, WI, Oct. 18, 1916. He attended the University of Florida, Gainsville, for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1940. Don was a bombardier in a B-25, stationed in Africa, and flew 41 combat missions. He was decorated numerous times for military service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (7 clusters), and the Purple Heart. While on a bombing raid over Italy in 1943, his plane was shot down and he was taken Prisoner of War by the Italians. After escaping the prison he was Missing in Action, behind enemy lines, for 10 months. After World War II, Don married Ruby Haynes from Eatonville in Chicago. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Denver and his Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He was Deputy Comptroller at Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE for many years. Don retired from the Air Force in 1970 and moved to Eatonville, where he served as a member of the town council, was an active member in the Eatonville Lions Club, and belonged to the American Legion. His greatest hobby was salmon fishing with his friends in Canada.
Don was born in Eau Claire, WI, Oct. 18, 1916. He attended the University of Florida, Gainsville, for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1940. Don was a bombardier in a B-25, stationed in Africa, and flew 41 combat missions. He was decorated numerous times for military service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal (7 clusters), and the Purple Heart. While on a bombing raid over Italy in 1943, his plane was shot down and he was taken Prisoner of War by the Italians. After escaping the prison he was Missing in Action, behind enemy lines, for 10 months. After World War II, Don married Ruby Haynes from Eatonville in Chicago. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Denver and his Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He was Deputy Comptroller at Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE for many years. Don retired from the Air Force in 1970 and moved to Eatonville, where he served as a member of the town council, was an active member in the Eatonville Lions Club, and belonged to the American Legion. His greatest hobby was salmon fishing with his friends in Canada.
Inscription
DONOVAN W RULIEN
COL US AIR FORCE
WWII
OCT 18 1916 JAN 19 1996
PURPLE HEART
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