Donald David Zurawski

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Donald David Zurawski Born August 12, 1927 - Died June 15, 1988 Donald David "Don" Zurawski was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 12 August 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 5th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Don emerged from the Midwest after brief sojourns in the Army and at Marquette U. He entered the Academy with two goals in mind - graduation and marriage. His winning personality and ready wit served him admirably throughout his four years at West Point. Don's competitive spirit in athletics was surpassed only by his determination to arrive home on a charter plane - just once!" During his cadet days Don was on the Catholic Choir all four years, with the Portuguese Club three years, was on the Duty Committee and its Chairman as well as an Acolyte and Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. On graduation Don went in the Air Force and after pilot training reported to Langely AFB in 1952. His next duty station was to Clark AFB in Manila where he served from 1953 to 1954 when he returned to the States and obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1958. He was next assigned to the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama where he served from 1963 to 1967. His next assignment was to Headquarters, United States Air Force and served from 1967 to 1971. Don was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on completion of this tour. He then obtained a Master of Science degree from George Washington University while at the same time was on the Staff & Faculty of the National War College, Fort Lesley McNair, Washington, DC. where he served until 1974. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation on completion of this tour. His next assignment was with the 76th Airlift Division, Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois where he served until 1974 and he was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on completion of this duty. Next Don was named Public Information Officer for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Brussels, Belgium and served as such until 1979. He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal for superior meritorious service on joint staffs and other joint activities of the Department of Defense on completion of this tour. Don's last assignment in uniform was to the Staff & Faculty at Notre Dame University where he served until 1981. Don was awarded a second Defense Superior Service Medal for superior meritorious service on joint staffs and other joint activities of the Department of Defense on his retirement as a Colonel. Don took a position as Project Manager in 1981 and was named Director of Communications and Government Information with Dowty Aerospace Corporation in 1986. Don died on June 15, 1988 in Laurel, Maryland where Dottie, his widow, makes her home.

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