Monson, Donald

Captain Don Monson, ISN (Ret) is a native of Downers Grove, Illinois. He graduated Downers Grove High School in 1938 and later attended the George Washington University. He entered the Navy in 1942 as an aviation cadet and won his navy wings of gold in July of 1943. Following his commission he was ordered to naval air station Miami for operational training. This was followed by carrier qualification landings aboard the USS "Sable" on Lake Michigan. He was then assigned to Dive Bombing Squadron 80 aboard a newly launched aircraft carrier, the USS "Ticonderoga".

During 1944 and 1945,...