Donald G. Richardson was born on November 23, 1921. He was the son of George Conrad Richardson and Ruth Ardana Fine Richardson. Lt. Richardson enlisted in December, 1941, and served with the original bomber unit with General Chennault’s 14th air force in China and he was a B-24 pilot. He was once shot down in the interior of China and made his way back to the base after several months with the aid of Chinese guerilla bands.

1Lt. Richardson was lost on a bomber mission aver the China Sea in May, 1943. His ship, a B-24, Puck II, was one of three bombers that did not return from attacking a Japanese convoy southeast of Hong Kong. B-24J #42-73317 'Puck' took off from Liuchow headed for the base at Yangkai, China on a Sea Sweep mission. The plane and its entire crew disappeared when attacked by possible anti-aircraft fire at sea.

His name is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. 1Lt. Richardson was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is also commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China. He also has a cenotaph located in Del Norte Cemetery, Del Norte, Rio Grande County, Colorado, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov