LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Donald Burgett, a World War II vet and author, dies at 91

Livingston Daily

A memorial reception will be held April 5 for Donald Burgett, a World War II combat veteran and author.

Don Burgett, an author and World War II veteran, in October 2014. A bill that would name the U.S. Post Office in Howell for a highly decorated World War II Army paratrooper cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. Burgett died in 2017 at age 91.

Burgett died Thursday. He was 91.

Burgett shared his story with the Livingston Daily in 2014, describing himself as a 140-pound teenager who joined the paratroopers during World War II and became a machine-gunner.

He was an Army paratrooper who participated in the opening operations of the Normandy Invasion with Company A, 506th Parachute Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division.

Burgett published four books about his service, including “Currahee!” in 1968 which was endorsed by President Dwight E. Eisenhower. He used his photographic memory to paint scenes from his service, including how he and four others fought off the Germans at Dead Man’s Corner.

The memorial reception will be held 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at the American Legion Post at 3265 W. Grand River Ave., in Howell. A cemetery service will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery at a date to be announced.

Burgett is survived by his wife, Twyla Austin Burgett; five children; 12 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.