Donald S. Swanson was born to George Swanson and Sophia (Wasmuth) Swanson. He entered the military service in California. He was the flight engineer on C-46 #41-5184, assigned to the Air Transport Command, 29th Transport Group, 301st Transport Squadron. They were making a cargo flight from Kunming China to Seekerating India but the aircraft never arrived at its destination.

Because his body was never recovered, Swanson is listed on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. Msgt Swanson 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.

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