Donald Elmer Paxton

Donald Elmer Paxton grew up in Cedar Rapids and attended Garfield Elementary School and Franklin Junior and Senior High School. Later, Paxton continued his education at Coe College and finally earned a degree from the University of Iowa. Shortly after finishing school, Paxton got married and joined the Air Force. He served as a pilot in the Korean War and then later in Vietnam. While piloting a B-57 Canberra bomber over Laos, his aircraft was shot down on February 22, 1969. Paxton and his co-pilot were listed missing by the Air Force. Donald E. Paxton was promoted to the rank of Colonel during the period he maintained missing. In 2000, his remains were positively identified by the Department of Defense and repatriated to the United States. He has a marker in Arlington National Cemetery.