Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
Norton
Yates
November 25, 1909

–

August 28, 1993

Born:

Bangor

, 

Maine

Home:

Bangor

, 

Maine

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Donald Yates graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1931. He retired in 1961 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Military Mission to the U.S.S.R.

    Action Date:

    August 4, 1942 – November 29, 1942
    War Department, General Orders No. 70 (December 29, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Norton Yates (AFSN: 584A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as special meteorological representative of the United States Army Air Forces to a co-belligerent government during the period 4 August 1942 to 29 November 1942. During this period, Colonel Yates, through his technical knowledge, patience, perseverance, and personality, was largely responsible for the successful negotiation with the co-belligerent government of an exchange of meteorological information, codes, and communications without which the successful culmination of a highly important secret project would have been impossible. Through his initiative, and acting abo e and beyond his assigned responsibilities, he obtained valuable information and formulated plans, the result of which have had a marked effect on the war effort of the United Nations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Yates and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Air Force Missile Test Center

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1954 – May 4, 1960
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Donald Norton Yates, United States Air Force, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit (Navy Award) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of the Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, from 31 July 1954 to 4 May 1960. General Yates repeatedly authorized unusual courses of action in order to expedite the projects. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Yates and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Norton Yates, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of the Weather Service for the U.S. Strategic Air Force in Europe in 1944. Through Colonel Yates’ good judgment, skill and sound leadership, reconciliation of the differences in forecasting methods were effected, resulting in the development of a procedure capable of utilizing the talents and facilities of both nations and all services in a unified manner. The valor of Colonel Yates’ advice has since been proved as the day selected for the continental assault was probably the only day during the month of June on which the operation could have been launched. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Yates and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1958 – March 31, 1961
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-48 (May 16, 1961)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General Donald Norton Yates (AFSN: 584A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Deputy Director of Defense Research & Engineering (Ranges and Space Ground Support), Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington. D.C., from 22 May 1958 to 31 March 1961. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Yates culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Air Force Missile Test Center

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1954 – May 4, 1960
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 35 (September 7, 1960)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Major General Donald Norton Yates (AFSN: 584A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of the Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, from 31 July 1954 to 4 May 1960. General Yates’ broad knowledge of the missile and space testing programs of each member service was instrumental in shaping top level policy and crucial decisions which progressively advanced the successful development of the Redstone, Jupiter and Pershing Missiles, The Explorer satellites and other space vehicles. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Yates and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.