In Memory of ....... Capt. Donald Deane Aldern.
Hello Edna, I photographed Baby Gregory Aldern's gravemarker today, but I did not find one for Donald Aldern. The staff at Hills of Rest Memorial Park said that Donald Aldern owned 3 graves there: one for Baby Gregory Aldern, one for George W Elmen, and one for Mary Ada Elmen. I'm guessing George and Mary were Donald's wife's parents? ~Brenda
*** Yes, you are correct.
***Captain Aldern was carried as missing in action until February 16, 1978, when he was declared dead. Because his body was never found, he has no grave marker in the United States. Per his wife, Marjorie.
*** Captain Aldren was a member of the 19th Carrier Air Wing, U.S. Navy based on the Aircraft Carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34). On June 29, 1970 he was the pilot of a Vought Attack Aircraft Corsair II (A-7A) on a mission over Attopeu Province, Laos when his aircraft was shot down and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DEANE ALDERN - Navy - CAPT - O6
Age: 47
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 5, 1930
From: SIOUX FALLS, SD
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen (Birth Date: 11 Jun 1930)lived in Cardiff, CA. They had four sons: Thomas D. Aldern, Born June 10, 1954, Scott J. Aldern, Born Oct. 14, 1955, Christopher B. Aldern,Born May 3, 1961 and Randall Lee Aldern,born March 28, 1967.
Captain Aldern is survived by two of his brothers, John, of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Robert Aldern, of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as his widow, Marjorie, San Diego; and four sons, Thomas, Ramona, California; Scott, Leucadia, California; Christopher, Escondido, California; and Randall, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Parents: Father, John Olsen Aldern, Deceased - Nov. 1974 and Mother, Emma (Dahl) Aldern.
***** Son, Gregory Aldern, of Lt.(Capt.)Donald Dean Aldera.
Birth:unknown - Find A Grave Memorial# 17404658
Death: May, 1960
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuesday, May 17, 1960 page 8:6
Aldern - Gregory Aldera, infant son of Lt. and Mrs. Donald Dean Aldern, Air Force Academy. Services Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date to be announced later. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls. (OUR CHAPEL OF MEMORIES).
Burial: Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls
Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
***** ( Brother ) - Robert J. Aldern, passed away on June 11, 2011 at the age of 82. He was born in Sioux Falls on January 16, 1929 to John and Emma Aldern. Aldern was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma Aldern; a son, Bradley; brothers, Deane and Joseph; and a sister, Ann (Carl) Muffly.
His tour began on Jun 29, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 16, 1978
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 09W - Line 101
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
On June 29, 1970, during a night bombing run, Captain Donald Deane Aldern's plane crashed in southern Laos.
CDR D. D. Aldern, USN, 548071310, is missing in action in Southern Laos. During the first bombing run his aircraft impacted with the ground while on a night strike.
Captain Donald Deane Aldern was not observed to leave the aircraft. No ground fire was observed.
Eight years later, as no evidence had been received that Aldern was alive, he was presumptively found dead.
Donald D. Aldern was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was maintained as missing.
*******************
Donald Deane Aldern was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 5, 1930. His parents were John and Emma (Dahl) Aldern. Deane, as his friends and family knew him, attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and graduated from there in 1948. On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen. They had four sons: Thomas, Scott, Christopher, and Randall.
After graduation from high school in 1948, Deane was accepted into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Shortly after his commission as an Ensign in 1952, Aldern completed flight training and took on the role of Naval Aviator in March of 1954. He first served with Utility Squadron Seven and was later transferred to Fighter Squadron Ninety-Four where he served aboard the attack carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet in the Pacific. Captain Aldern then returned to the Air Force Academy as an instructor in air navigation and military studies.
Captain Aldern was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as numerous other air medals plus the Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star with Combat Distinguished Device, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star (USS Ticonderoga) the Meritorious Unit Commendation (USS Oriskany), the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
***************
.
Hello Edna, I photographed Baby Gregory Aldern's gravemarker today, but I did not find one for Donald Aldern. The staff at Hills of Rest Memorial Park said that Donald Aldern owned 3 graves there: one for Baby Gregory Aldern, one for George W Elmen, and one for Mary Ada Elmen. I'm guessing George and Mary were Donald's wife's parents? ~Brenda
*** Yes, you are correct.
***Captain Aldern was carried as missing in action until February 16, 1978, when he was declared dead. Because his body was never found, he has no grave marker in the United States. Per his wife, Marjorie.
*** Captain Aldren was a member of the 19th Carrier Air Wing, U.S. Navy based on the Aircraft Carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34). On June 29, 1970 he was the pilot of a Vought Attack Aircraft Corsair II (A-7A) on a mission over Attopeu Province, Laos when his aircraft was shot down and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DEANE ALDERN - Navy - CAPT - O6
Age: 47
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 5, 1930
From: SIOUX FALLS, SD
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen (Birth Date: 11 Jun 1930)lived in Cardiff, CA. They had four sons: Thomas D. Aldern, Born June 10, 1954, Scott J. Aldern, Born Oct. 14, 1955, Christopher B. Aldern,Born May 3, 1961 and Randall Lee Aldern,born March 28, 1967.
Captain Aldern is survived by two of his brothers, John, of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Robert Aldern, of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as his widow, Marjorie, San Diego; and four sons, Thomas, Ramona, California; Scott, Leucadia, California; Christopher, Escondido, California; and Randall, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Parents: Father, John Olsen Aldern, Deceased - Nov. 1974 and Mother, Emma (Dahl) Aldern.
***** Son, Gregory Aldern, of Lt.(Capt.)Donald Dean Aldera.
Birth:unknown - Find A Grave Memorial# 17404658
Death: May, 1960
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuesday, May 17, 1960 page 8:6
Aldern - Gregory Aldera, infant son of Lt. and Mrs. Donald Dean Aldern, Air Force Academy. Services Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date to be announced later. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls. (OUR CHAPEL OF MEMORIES).
Burial: Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls
Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
***** ( Brother ) - Robert J. Aldern, passed away on June 11, 2011 at the age of 82. He was born in Sioux Falls on January 16, 1929 to John and Emma Aldern. Aldern was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma Aldern; a son, Bradley; brothers, Deane and Joseph; and a sister, Ann (Carl) Muffly.
His tour began on Jun 29, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 16, 1978
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 09W - Line 101
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
On June 29, 1970, during a night bombing run, Captain Donald Deane Aldern's plane crashed in southern Laos.
CDR D. D. Aldern, USN, 548071310, is missing in action in Southern Laos. During the first bombing run his aircraft impacted with the ground while on a night strike.
Captain Donald Deane Aldern was not observed to leave the aircraft. No ground fire was observed.
Eight years later, as no evidence had been received that Aldern was alive, he was presumptively found dead.
Donald D. Aldern was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was maintained as missing.
*******************
Donald Deane Aldern was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 5, 1930. His parents were John and Emma (Dahl) Aldern. Deane, as his friends and family knew him, attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and graduated from there in 1948. On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen. They had four sons: Thomas, Scott, Christopher, and Randall.
After graduation from high school in 1948, Deane was accepted into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Shortly after his commission as an Ensign in 1952, Aldern completed flight training and took on the role of Naval Aviator in March of 1954. He first served with Utility Squadron Seven and was later transferred to Fighter Squadron Ninety-Four where he served aboard the attack carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet in the Pacific. Captain Aldern then returned to the Air Force Academy as an instructor in air navigation and military studies.
Captain Aldern was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as numerous other air medals plus the Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star with Combat Distinguished Device, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star (USS Ticonderoga) the Meritorious Unit Commendation (USS Oriskany), the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
***************
.
In Memory of ....... Capt. Donald Deane Aldern.
Hello Edna, I photographed Baby Gregory Aldern's gravemarker today, but I did not find one for Donald Aldern. The staff at Hills of Rest Memorial Park said that Donald Aldern owned 3 graves there: one for Baby Gregory Aldern, one for George W Elmen, and one for Mary Ada Elmen. I'm guessing George and Mary were Donald's wife's parents? ~Brenda
*** Yes, you are correct.
***Captain Aldern was carried as missing in action until February 16, 1978, when he was declared dead. Because his body was never found, he has no grave marker in the United States. Per his wife, Marjorie.
*** Captain Aldren was a member of the 19th Carrier Air Wing, U.S. Navy based on the Aircraft Carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34). On June 29, 1970 he was the pilot of a Vought Attack Aircraft Corsair II (A-7A) on a mission over Attopeu Province, Laos when his aircraft was shot down and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DEANE ALDERN - Navy - CAPT - O6
Age: 47
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 5, 1930
From: SIOUX FALLS, SD
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen (Birth Date: 11 Jun 1930)lived in Cardiff, CA. They had four sons: Thomas D. Aldern, Born June 10, 1954, Scott J. Aldern, Born Oct. 14, 1955, Christopher B. Aldern,Born May 3, 1961 and Randall Lee Aldern,born March 28, 1967.
Captain Aldern is survived by two of his brothers, John, of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Robert Aldern, of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as his widow, Marjorie, San Diego; and four sons, Thomas, Ramona, California; Scott, Leucadia, California; Christopher, Escondido, California; and Randall, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Parents: Father, John Olsen Aldern, Deceased - Nov. 1974 and Mother, Emma (Dahl) Aldern.
***** Son, Gregory Aldern, of Lt.(Capt.)Donald Dean Aldera.
Birth:unknown - Find A Grave Memorial# 17404658
Death: May, 1960
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuesday, May 17, 1960 page 8:6
Aldern - Gregory Aldera, infant son of Lt. and Mrs. Donald Dean Aldern, Air Force Academy. Services Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date to be announced later. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls. (OUR CHAPEL OF MEMORIES).
Burial: Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls
Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
***** ( Brother ) - Robert J. Aldern, passed away on June 11, 2011 at the age of 82. He was born in Sioux Falls on January 16, 1929 to John and Emma Aldern. Aldern was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma Aldern; a son, Bradley; brothers, Deane and Joseph; and a sister, Ann (Carl) Muffly.
His tour began on Jun 29, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 16, 1978
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 09W - Line 101
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
On June 29, 1970, during a night bombing run, Captain Donald Deane Aldern's plane crashed in southern Laos.
CDR D. D. Aldern, USN, 548071310, is missing in action in Southern Laos. During the first bombing run his aircraft impacted with the ground while on a night strike.
Captain Donald Deane Aldern was not observed to leave the aircraft. No ground fire was observed.
Eight years later, as no evidence had been received that Aldern was alive, he was presumptively found dead.
Donald D. Aldern was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was maintained as missing.
*******************
Donald Deane Aldern was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 5, 1930. His parents were John and Emma (Dahl) Aldern. Deane, as his friends and family knew him, attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and graduated from there in 1948. On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen. They had four sons: Thomas, Scott, Christopher, and Randall.
After graduation from high school in 1948, Deane was accepted into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Shortly after his commission as an Ensign in 1952, Aldern completed flight training and took on the role of Naval Aviator in March of 1954. He first served with Utility Squadron Seven and was later transferred to Fighter Squadron Ninety-Four where he served aboard the attack carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet in the Pacific. Captain Aldern then returned to the Air Force Academy as an instructor in air navigation and military studies.
Captain Aldern was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as numerous other air medals plus the Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star with Combat Distinguished Device, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star (USS Ticonderoga) the Meritorious Unit Commendation (USS Oriskany), the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
***************
.
Hello Edna, I photographed Baby Gregory Aldern's gravemarker today, but I did not find one for Donald Aldern. The staff at Hills of Rest Memorial Park said that Donald Aldern owned 3 graves there: one for Baby Gregory Aldern, one for George W Elmen, and one for Mary Ada Elmen. I'm guessing George and Mary were Donald's wife's parents? ~Brenda
*** Yes, you are correct.
***Captain Aldern was carried as missing in action until February 16, 1978, when he was declared dead. Because his body was never found, he has no grave marker in the United States. Per his wife, Marjorie.
*** Captain Aldren was a member of the 19th Carrier Air Wing, U.S. Navy based on the Aircraft Carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA-34). On June 29, 1970 he was the pilot of a Vought Attack Aircraft Corsair II (A-7A) on a mission over Attopeu Province, Laos when his aircraft was shot down and crashed. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DEANE ALDERN - Navy - CAPT - O6
Age: 47
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 5, 1930
From: SIOUX FALLS, SD
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen (Birth Date: 11 Jun 1930)lived in Cardiff, CA. They had four sons: Thomas D. Aldern, Born June 10, 1954, Scott J. Aldern, Born Oct. 14, 1955, Christopher B. Aldern,Born May 3, 1961 and Randall Lee Aldern,born March 28, 1967.
Captain Aldern is survived by two of his brothers, John, of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Robert Aldern, of Sioux Falls, SD, as well as his widow, Marjorie, San Diego; and four sons, Thomas, Ramona, California; Scott, Leucadia, California; Christopher, Escondido, California; and Randall, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Parents: Father, John Olsen Aldern, Deceased - Nov. 1974 and Mother, Emma (Dahl) Aldern.
***** Son, Gregory Aldern, of Lt.(Capt.)Donald Dean Aldera.
Birth:unknown - Find A Grave Memorial# 17404658
Death: May, 1960
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs, CO
Tuesday, May 17, 1960 page 8:6
Aldern - Gregory Aldera, infant son of Lt. and Mrs. Donald Dean Aldern, Air Force Academy. Services Miller Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date to be announced later. Interment Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls. (OUR CHAPEL OF MEMORIES).
Burial: Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls
Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
***** ( Brother ) - Robert J. Aldern, passed away on June 11, 2011 at the age of 82. He was born in Sioux Falls on January 16, 1929 to John and Emma Aldern. Aldern was preceded in death by his parents, John and Emma Aldern; a son, Bradley; brothers, Deane and Joseph; and a sister, Ann (Carl) Muffly.
His tour began on Jun 29, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 16, 1978
In LZ, LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 09W - Line 101
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
On June 29, 1970, during a night bombing run, Captain Donald Deane Aldern's plane crashed in southern Laos.
CDR D. D. Aldern, USN, 548071310, is missing in action in Southern Laos. During the first bombing run his aircraft impacted with the ground while on a night strike.
Captain Donald Deane Aldern was not observed to leave the aircraft. No ground fire was observed.
Eight years later, as no evidence had been received that Aldern was alive, he was presumptively found dead.
Donald D. Aldern was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was maintained as missing.
*******************
Donald Deane Aldern was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on May 5, 1930. His parents were John and Emma (Dahl) Aldern. Deane, as his friends and family knew him, attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls and graduated from there in 1948. On June 11, 1952, Deane was married to Marjorie Louise Elmen. They had four sons: Thomas, Scott, Christopher, and Randall.
After graduation from high school in 1948, Deane was accepted into the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Shortly after his commission as an Ensign in 1952, Aldern completed flight training and took on the role of Naval Aviator in March of 1954. He first served with Utility Squadron Seven and was later transferred to Fighter Squadron Ninety-Four where he served aboard the attack carriers USS Yorktown and USS Hornet in the Pacific. Captain Aldern then returned to the Air Force Academy as an instructor in air navigation and military studies.
Captain Aldern was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as numerous other air medals plus the Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star with Combat Distinguished Device, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star (USS Ticonderoga) the Meritorious Unit Commendation (USS Oriskany), the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
***************
.
Gravesite Details
Marjorie, his wife, stated " Because his body was never found, he has no grave marker in the United States."
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