A champion of education, his motto was "even if you can't go to college, and regardless of your age, there's no excuse for not studying"
El Dorado Springs High School:
- Donald
Dawson was born in El Dorado Springs August 3, 1908 -- Died December
25, 2005
Dawson's family established in El Dorado Springs in 1884; Grandfather Benjamin and father John Dawson were town physicians. - First job was as a "mucker" (ditch digger for a pipe line) during the Great Depression -- Donald said, "This was a great place to start. You knew you had no place to go but up!"
- Graduated University of Missouri Bachelor of Science Degree 1930
- Graduated George Washington University, J.D. Degree 1938
- Worked with Reconstruction Finance Corporation, responsible for helping banks in Missouri and nationally get back on their feet after the Depression. Enabled banks to provide loans for residents in Missouri and other states.
- Assistant to Chairman Jesse Jones on Reconstruction Finance Corporation
- Inducted U.S. Army, Private, 1943
- Air Force Officers Candidate School
- First Enlisted man to rise to rank as General in the Air Force
- Served and Decorated in all WWII Theaters -- Asia, Europe, South Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Received medals from all, including World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Commendations Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster. Also received Royal Yugoslavian Army Cross, Pro Liberate Hungarian Medallion, China War Medal, Freedom Award of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters (honorary Hungarian Freedom Fighter)
- Air Force Reserves 1946-1970
- Chief of Ground and Safety Division Air Transport Command; reduced accidents 67%; received National Safety Award for World Wide Safety
- Member Retired Officers Association of America
- Special Assistant to President Harry S Truman
- An Architect of President Harry S Truman's 1948 Whistle Stop Campaign
- Special Executive Assistant to President Harry S Truman 1947-53
- Aided in Desegregation of United States Armed Forces
- Chairman, White House Loyalty Review Board
- Appointed Ambassador to Jamaica; Founding Director, American Friends of Jamaica -- raised over $7 million in aid
- President, Reserve Officers Association of America, 1965-66
- Chairman, United Givers Fund, Executive Board Boy Scouts of America
- Director, National Committee, Playgrounds for Youths in America
- Director, National Humane Society, 1978-84
- Board of Directors, Harry S Truman Library Institute for National and International Affairs, 1980-96
- Attorney at Law, 1953-2005; counseled such companies as Washington DC Transit system and the Brewer's Association of America
- Father of the Year, 1972 -- loving husband and family man; Great patriot and citizen