Ex-Elyrian Now Major in Air Force
Donald W. Keating, formerly of Elyria, and son of Mrs. Thelma Keating, Butternut Ridge, has recently received his promotion to major in the United States Air Force.
Maj. Keating enlisted in October, 1940, and has completed three tours overseas in Germany and England. At present, he is stationed at Sculthorpe, England.
With him are his wife, Louise, and their two sons, Hank and Randy. This makes the second tour at Sculthorpe for Maj. Keating. He was one of the first American pilots to land on that base in January, 1944, and became an instructor in the B-17 Flying Fortress, instructing RAF pilots.
His flying experience has varied from the B-17 Bomber to the jet age and fighter interceptors, the F102A “Delta Dagger,” and back to the B-66 jet bomber, which he presently flies in the 84th Bombardment Squadron at Sculthorpe.
Maj. Keating received his Command Pilot Wings, the most cherished of all pilot qualifications, in November, 1958, while stationed with the 61st Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Truax Field, Madison, Wis.
Source: Ex-Elyrian Now Major in Air Force, The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, 5 January 1961, p. 11.