Reprinted from the Pauline Lang scrapbook 1940
Donald Lester Tyler, son of Vernon George (1898-1957) and Ethel Irene "Irene" (Buell) (1900-1991) Tyler, was born 31 March 1922 Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. Donald's parents divorced 1 July 1926 Ingham County. Irene charged desertion and was granted divorce and the 2 children; James Vernon and Donald Lester. The boys went to live with Irene's parents, James and Gertrude, in the Okemos area. George remarried, as did Irene. The boys remained with the grandparents.
In 1938 Grandpa James Buell died of injuries received when he fell from a wagon at his home. He was interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos, Ingham County. Donald graduated in 1940 from Okemos High School. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp 18 December 1941. Donald was described as 65 inches tall and weighing 124 pounds.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 4 September 1942
Donald L. Tyler, son of Vernon G. Tyler, 1330 North Walnut street, graduated recently from the army air forces technical school at Keesler field, Miss. Aerial gunnery training at Tyndall field, Fla. is his preoccupation now.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 19 December 1943
TYLER - Staff Sgt. Donald Tyler, a bombardier, stationed somewhere in England, has been awarded the honorary medal cluster of two oak leaves, according to word received by his grandmother, Mrs. James Buel (surname misspelled), Mason and Okemos road. Sergeant Tyler was graduated from the Okemos high school in 1940, and enlisted with the service December 18, 1941.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 13 August 1944
TYLER - Tech. Sgt. Donald L. Tyler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon G. Tyler, 1330 North Walnut street, has been spending a few days with relatives here, while en route to Lincoln, Neb., following his return from 18 months of duty in England, as a bombardier with the ninth army air forces. Sergeant Tyler, who entered the service December 18, 1941, has been awarded the air medal and distinguished flying cross. He has completed 64 missions.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 1 March 1954
TEN YEARS AGO
WEDNESDAY - Tech. Sgt. Donald L. Tyler of Lansing has been decorated for participating in medium bomber combat missions over the coast of France.
Donald's father died in 1957. TSgt Donald L Tyler was listed as a survivor with address of Brooks Air Base, San Antonio, Texas. His grandmother's 1963 obituary simply listed 3 grandchildren living, which would have included Donald. Donald died 15 November 1989 Bexar County, Texas. His mother, Ethel Irene Piper, died 24 May 1991. Donald's grandparents Buell, his mother and step-father (Jack Piper) were interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.