Donald J. Strait - Wikiwand

Nickname(s)"The Jersey Jerk"

BornApril 28, 1918
East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.

DiedMarch 30, 2015 (aged 96)
Pinehurst, North Carolina

Donald J. Strait

Nickname(s)	"The Jersey Jerk"
Born	(1918-04-28)April 28, 1918 East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	March 30, 2015(2015-03-30) (aged 96) Pinehurst, North Carolina
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force New Jersey Air National Guard
Years of service	1940–1976
Rank	Major General
Unit	356th Fighter Group
Commands	361st Fighter Squadron 119th Fighter Squadron 108th Fighter Group 108th Fighter Wing 108th Fighter-Bomber Group 108th Tactical Fighter Wing New Jersey Air National Guard
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Air Medal (15) Department of the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service

Donald Jackson Strait (April 28, 1918 – March 30, 2015) was a major general who served as a career officer in the United States Air Force and was a flying ace with the 356th Fighter Group during World War II.

Strait was born in East Orange, New Jersey, on April 28, 1918, and was raised in Verona, New Jersey.^[1] He played prep baseball at Verona High School, graduating in 1936.^[2]

In his teens, Strait had an interest in model aircraft and would ride his bicycle 8 miles (13 km) to the Caldwell Wright Airport, where he would watch the planes flying and speak to pilots and workers at the facility. He went to work for Public Service Electric and Gas and then Prudential Insurance after graduating from high school.^[3]

Military career

Death

References

↑ Sherman, Stephen. "Captain Donald J. Strait 356th Fighter Group Ace", Acepilots.com, December 1999, updated June 29, 2011. Accessed September 6, 2021. "He was born on April 28, 1918 and grew up in Verona, New Jersey."
↑ "Donald J. Strait", The Pilot, April 3, 2015. Accessed February 24, 2022. "Born April 28, 1918, in East Orange, N.J., he packed his 96 years with successes and honors whether on the Verona High School baseball team, in the U.S. Air Force, Fairchild Industries, every golf course he teed up on, or in his personal life."
1 2 Anderson, David P. Interview of Donald J. Strait, United States Air National Guard, May 15, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2022.
1 2 3 4 NGEF Guard Muster Donald J. Strait, National Guard Education Foundation. Accessed February 24, 2022. "The one name perhaps most associated with the history of the New Jersey Air National Guard is Major General Don Strait. Donald Jackson Strait was born in East Orange New Jersey on 28 April 1918. He was interested in aviation since his very early years and in 1940, he enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard’s 119th Observation Squadron just about the time that unit was called to active duty."
↑ Donald J Strait, American Air Museum. Accessed February 24, 2012. "Known as the 'John Wayne' of 356 Fighter Group, he was based at Martlesham Heath Airfield from 1943-45, where he was recognised with a Silver Star for his bravery, and was given the title of 'Top Ace'."
↑ Olivieri, Joe. "Friendship takesflight", Verona-Cedar Grove Times, November 8, 2007. Accessed February 24, 2022, via Newspapers.com.
↑ Donald J. Strait, Veteran Tributes. Accessed February 24, 2022. "Donald Strait was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame in 1989."
↑ Obituary - Major General Donald J Strait, Martlesham Heath Aviation Society. Accessed February 24, 2022. "Donald Jackson Strait, AKA Don, Dad, Grampy, Ace, The Tiger, and always 'The General,' died at home with his family on Monday, March 30, 2015."

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