Don enlisted in the Army Air Force at the age of 18 on June 23, 1944 but he was deferred because he was still going to Enterprise High School in Enterprise, KS.

He was called to duty on January 18, 1945 and was assigned to Biloxi Air Base, MS for five weeks of Basic Training. From there he was transferred to Sioux Falls, SD where he was trained to be a B-29 Radio Operator Mechanic. However, after 5 weeks of training, the school was closed.

He was then transferred to Scott Field, IL to be trained as a Radio Mechanic. The training was scheduled for 26 weeks but after 18 weeks, the military determined that they did not need any more Radio Mechanics.

From Scott Field, he was shipped to NYC where he was quarantined for 30 days because one of his fellow soldiers came down with scarlet Tina.

After the quarantine was lifted, Don and his unit were assigned to Laharre, France. He crossed the Atlantic in a large troop ship and the voyage took 9 days.

After arrival at Laharre, his orders were changed and he was shipped to Erlanger, Germany in January 1946. That camp was just outside of Nierenberg.

Don worked at the Motor Pool and he was in charge of the shop. Two German mechanics worked with him but only one could speak English.
One of his buddies who was shipped over in January with him worked just across the runway and on the weekends, they borrowed a jeep and drove around Germany.

A Lieutenant pilot offered to let him fly with him over to West Germany to check out a jeep. Their flight took them over Russian occupied East Berlin.

He was overseas for only seven months and was then shipped back to New York. He was discharged on 29 October 1946.

His Decorations included: Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Germany and Sharpshooter Medal.

Don married Georgia Marie Haslouer, Enterprise, KS on September 22, 1947. They had four children: Patricia Ann, Jeanette Louise, Sarah Jane and Charles Vincent.

Following his military service, Don worked for Erhsam and Sons manufacturing Co. in Enterprise. His career spanned forty-two years and he retired as the Manager of Machine Operations. He served as the Mayor of Enterprise, KS and was a City Councilman for eight years.