Burgett biography

Donald R. Burgett (April 5, 1925 – March 23, 2017) was a writer and a former World War II paratrooper. He was among the Airborne troopers who landed in Normandy early on the morning of D-Day.

Eric Burgett - Ole Red

He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, ("The Screaming Eagles"), and the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Burgett served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 506th PIR as both a rifleman and a machine-gunner.

Life

Burgett was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up on the city's west side. In the opening paragraph of his memoir Currahee!, he mentioned his determination to follow his older brother Elmer, who had joined the Paratroops in 1942.

Burgett volunteered to be called up as soon as he turned 18 the following year. On May 3, 1943, he reported to the Induction Center, where he officially volunteered for the Paratroops by signing a statement: "I do hereby volunteer to jump from a plane, while in flight, and land on the ground via parachute." He completed Basic Co Donald Burgett - Wikipedia TUKA