- Date Of Birth: January 3, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 24, 2021
- State: Pennsylvania
Donald Francis Dwyer, 98, of Bethlehem, PA, formerly of Whippany and Toms River, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 24, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marion (Kern) Dwyer.
Donald will be lovingly remembered by his two sons, Glenn Dwyer (and wife Sarah) and Douglas Dwyer (and wife Jacqueline); daughter, Alison Flieger (and husband Robert); brother, Thomas Dwyer and wife Clara; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by sisters, Jean and Betty.
Donald honorably served his country during WWII and Korea in the Army Air Force. During WWII, he was a lieutenant in the Army Air Forces and served as a B-29 bombardier with the 9th Bomb Group. He completed 28 bombing missions and took part in some of the most historic moments of the Pacific air war. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart during a mission over Japan in June 1945 where he disregarded the pain of his own wounds from enemy cannon fire, repaired his bomber’s radio, and helped navigate across the Pacific Ocean to Iwo Jima for an emergency landing which saved his entire crew. His dedication to duty and sense of selfless service never faded after he left the military and focused on raising a family.
Donald worked as a salesman for Cook and Dunn Paint Company, Newark, NJ, for over 31 years before retiring. He was a member of the VFW, and enjoyed attending the 9th Bomb Group reunions with his crewmates from his time in the service. Above all he cherished his time spent with his family.
