Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
Sewell
Lopez
July 15, 1923

–

March 3, 2008

Born:

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Home:

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Donald Lopez became a World War II ACE in the China-Burma-India Theater. He flew 101 combat missions and was credited with destroying 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, flew a brief combat tour during the Korean War, and retired in 1964 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement, he served on the Apollo and Skylab programs with Bellcomm, Inc., and he joined the staff of the National Air and Space Museum in 1972. He became the deputy director of the museum in 1983 and the senior advisor to the director in 1990. He retired from the National Air and Space Museum in 1993 and was again appointed deputy director in 1996.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    75th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Donald Sewell Lopez (ASN: 0-803409), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    75th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 14th Air Force, General Orders No. 33 (April 9, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Sewell Lopez (ASN: 0-803409), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane of the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Lopez, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    75th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Donald Sewell Lopez (ASN: 0-803409), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, FOURTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Batallion:

    75th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    14th Air Force

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Donald Sewell Lopez (ASN: 0-803409), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy.