98-year-old Broward veteran reflects on life in the Air Corps

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Born in October 1923, 98-year-old Donald Henningsen of Pompano Beach recalls enlisting in the U.S. Air Corps back when he lived in Iowa.

ā€œThe war started in 1941. I was in my first year of junior college,ā€ he said Thursday on Veteran’s Day. ā€œI got my wings and my commission in 1944.ā€

Flying C-47 planes just like the model he still keeps in his home, Henningsen flew in the South Pacific. He recalls transporting American prisoners by plane who were captured in Japan.

ā€œThey had been so mistreated that they were on stretchers,ā€ he said.

He also shared the hopeful memories — correspondence with his sweetheart Betty, who was in high school while Don was at war.

ā€œShe has every letter I wrote,ā€ he said.

Four days after Don came home from the war in 1945, the two were engaged. And 75 years, later Betty and Don are still going strong.

ā€œIt was wonderful and nobody was ever courted like I was,ā€ Betty remembered.

She said life on the homefront wasn’t easy.

ā€œIt was unbelievable what you had to go without. There weren’t any nylons. That all went to parachutesā€

Don says he kept in touch with his Air Corps brothers after the war.

ā€œI was in touch with a lot of them for a while, but I’ve outlived them,ā€ he said. ā€œDon’t have very many left anymore.ā€

Donald and Betty Henningsen have lived in South Florida for 20 years. They have two daughters, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.


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