Major General Donald J. Strait was
born on April 28, 1918 in East Orange, New Jersey.
He enlisted in the 119th Observation Squadron with
the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1940. Starting
out as an armorer, he quickly advanced to an aerial
gunner onboard O-46 and O-47 observation aircraft.
In March 1942 he qualified for pilot training and
received his Wings at Maxwell Field in Alabama as
well as his commission as a 2nd Lt. in January, 1943.
Strait began flying the P-47 right
after receiving his wings and finished his transition
training in March of 1943 where he was assigned to
the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group at
Westover Field, MA. He was also assigned as the squadron's
assistant engineering officer and had the chance
to undertake all aircraft flight tests. The squadron
finished P-47 operational training by the summer
of 1943 and by August was deployed Martlesham Heath,
England as part of the Eighth Air Force.
During his tour with the 356th Fighter
Group, Straight participated in long range bomber
escort missions as well as air to ground support
of the allied forces. In November of 1944 Strait
began flying P-51 Mustangs as the commander of the
361st Fighter Squadron during his second tour combat
tour. During one particular encounter, Strait led
16 P-51s on an escort mission when he spotted 40
German BF-109s. The P-51 flight dropped tanks and
attacked the enemy aircraft. Strait counted more
than 100 more German fighters during the fight preparing
attack American bombers. After a considerable amount
of dogfighting, fuel ran low and the fighters had
to return to base. Strait's squadron recorded 23
German fighter kills that day without losing a single
Mustang.
By the end of the war, Donald Strait
had completed two combat tours, 122 missions in the
P-47 and P-51, and wracked up 13 ½ enemy aircraft
kills. After WWII, Strait went back to the New Jersey
Air National Guard and served as the Squadron, Group,
and Wing Commander of the 108th Tactical Fighter
Wing during the Korean War and Berlin crisis. General
Strait graduated from the Air War College in 1955
and was appointed by President Eisenhower as Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Reserve
and ROTC Affairs. He retired from the Air Force as
a Major General in 1978.
Donald Strait, in light of his many
meritorious actions, has received the Silver Star,
Distinguished Flying Cross (two Oak Leaf Clusters),
Air Medal (14 Oak Leaf Clusters), Presidential Unit
Citation, Victory Medal, European Theater Ribbon
(4 Battle Stars), American Defense Ribbon, USAF Exceptional
Civilian Service Award, and the Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross with Palm (1966-1970). In 1989 he
was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of
Fame.
Today General Strait resides in Jacksonville,
North Carolina where he enjoys golfing and woodworking
as well as being an avid sports enthusiast.