Captain Donald Monson, USN (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, he saw extensive combat duty in the Pacific Theater, participating in air strikes against the Japanese forces in Manila, Formosa, Saigon, Hainan China, Iwo Jima and Tokyo. His awards include the distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple Heart. Captain Monson retired from active service in 1974.” Captain Donald Monson is the author of Autobiography of a World War Two Tailhooker.

Autobiography of a World War Two Tailhooker Donald Monson  More Info

Captain Donald Monson said of Autobiography of a World War Two Tailhooker, it “chronicles many experiences from the early days of my youth, and continues on through the years I served as naval aviator. The narrative spans several decade in times of both war and peace. It tells of many escapes from death, both before and after becoming a navy flyer. I have tried to treat the subject in a sincere manner, attributing my survival to "Divine Intervention". I also describe the many close friendships forged early on in flight-training, and aboard several aircraft carriers while attached to divebombing squadrons during and following World War Two.”