American Valor Quarterly Issue 12 - Spring 2015 | Page 37

they Deserve their place in HISTORY From Donald R. Burgett Honoring Those Who Served Through Writing Donald R. Burgett is a WWII veteran and member of the “Screaming Eagles” 101st Airborne Division, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment. During his WWII service, Burgett joined his A Company airmen in the early morning beach landings in Normandy, where he was involved in securing several critical installations for allied forces. After Normandy, Burgett completed a second jump into the Netherlands as a part of Operation Market Garden, and fought for more than 70 days behind German lines. Following a short rest, Burgett saw further action in several other pivotal campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge and Operation Nordwind. U.S. Army Signal Corps Burgett has also authored four books, including “Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy,” which was personally endorsed by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with “The Road to Arnhem,” “Beyond the Rhine,” and “Seven Roads to Hell,” all offering firsthand accounts of the war. CHRISTMAS DAY, 1944. MEN OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION WALK THROUGH THE WRECKAGE OF BASTOGNE, PASSING THE BODIES OF FALLEN COMRADES, KILLED IN CHRISTMAS EVE BOMBING THE NIGHT BEFORE. SPRING 2015 37