Donald W. Handegaard was born on October 18, 1921 in Dale, Clay County Minnesota. His parents were Tobias M. and Edith Backman Handegaard, they were both born in Minnesota and Tobias was a mail carrier. Donald had three sisters Edna, Myrtle and Eleanor. He graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture and attended both Moorhead State College and University of MN.
Donald was a student at the University of Minnesota at the time he registered in February 1942. He then enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served during World War II. He had the rank of Second Lieutenant and served with the 84th Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Co Pilot on C-47’s.
On June 6, 1944, during Mission Detroit on D-Day, a CG-4A Waco glider (serial number 43-27453, Chalk #52), carrying troops from the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion, was being towed toward Normandy by C-47 Skytrain #42-100803, piloted by 1st Lt. Jack Aaron Lawson. During the mission, the glider disconnected after the glider pilot observed that the C-47 had been struck by German flak or machine-gun fire and was no longer under control. The glider crash-landed near Quettehou, France, striking an electrical pole and a hedge, but all troops aboard survived with minor or no injuries and later rejoined their units. Tragically, Lt. Lawson and his crew perished in the crash of the C-47.
2LT Handegaard is buried now in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA. His name is commemorated on a plaque located at the Holy Cross Church in Ramsbury, England but his surname is spelled "Handigard."
C-47 #42-100803 crew:
Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Donald W Handegaard, MN
Radio Operator: Sgt. Charles R Kittle, OH
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack A Lawson, KS
Bombardier: T/Sgt. Henry S Maranz, NJ
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com