Skip to content

This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

Read More »
Join The SSS
Update My Bio
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

Watson, Donald D. – KIA

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Watson, Donald D. – KIA

Donald David Watson - KIA

Preferred Name: Don
Date of Birth: July 13, 1939
Highest Military Grade: 0-2 – First Lieutenant
Hometown: Tripoli, WI
Headed West Date: July 31, 1965
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

1Lt Donald David Watson was on his second tour to Southeast Asia. “While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 (F-100 #55-2837) in a flight of three F-100s dropping 500-pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass, he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion. His body was recovered.(1)

Donald David Watson is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado.

Donald is also honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 02e, Line 46.

 

 

Sources: Bio Info/Photos – HonorStates.org; vvmf.org; findagrave.com

Units Assigned

  • 7/1963 Basic flying training, Webb AFB, TX
  • 7/1964 Advanced flying school, Luke AFB, AZ
  • 524th Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM (F-100)
  • 1965 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 6250th Combat Support Group, 13th Air Force, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
US Air Force Pilot Badge
United States Aviator Badge Air Force

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1958-1962 USAFA -Distinguished Graduate

Civilian Education:

  • 1957 Tripoli High School
  • 1957-1958 Superior State College

Watson, Donald 1
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top