Donald Edward Carlson

2021-03-22T11:26:12-05:00
Air Force Badge
  • Name: Donald Edward Carlson
  • Location of Birth: Bovey, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: May 10, 1922
  • Date of Death: January 4, 1955
  • Parents: Arthur E. Carlson & Esther (Heikkinen) Carlson
  • High School and Class: 1940 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: S SGT (Staff Sergeant)
  • Branch: Air Force
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: October 29, 1940
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: September 28, 1952
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Donald Edward Carlson
    Race: White
    Age: 23
    Birth Date: May 10, 1922
    Birth Place: Bovey, Minnesota
    Residence Place: Bovey, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: November 27, 1945 (re-enlisted)
    Employer: Unemployed
    Weight: 146
    Height: 5-8
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Blonde
    Next of Kin: Mrs. Arthur Carlson, mother, Bovey, Minnesota

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - March 9, 1945 - "Somewhere in France, Jan 13th. Dear Ann: I guess it's about my time to write as this is my first letter to you. I haven't received the Bovey Press for over two months. But I've been traveling a lot since then, so that must be the reason. I should get a whole bundle of them one of these days. I've been through Strassburg a couple weeks ago. That's right in the Kraut's back yard. Joe Vober is still in the same division with me, but a different unit. I haven't seen him for quite some time, although I talked to him over the phone a couple of weeks ago. I've been trying to get him on the phone all day today. The news sounds good from the Pacific. I guess we'll start rolling here one of these days. Must close and get some sleep. Thank the Service Man's Club for the card and two dollars. Sincerely, Donald E. Carlson."

    Donald E. Carlson served his country in the Infantry and Air Force for a total of 8 years from 1940 - 1952 when he retired from the USAF Reserves.

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II
    Korean War

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Donald E. Carlson married Eleanore Ruotsala in Minnesota in 1944. After his first tour of duty he was appointed as a police officer for the City of Hibbing, Minnesota, having attained the highest rating in a recent examination. The family moved to Montana and then Idaho before finally settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Donald sustained an accident in 1953 while employed with the Waterman-Waterbury Gas Co., causing him to cope with a lingering illness until his death 2 years later.

    Donald Carlson died in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota (plot - G, O, 755). He is survived by his wife and 2 sons, John and Kenneth.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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