An Eagle Returns
Click thumbnail to see full image
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don Burgett , “An Eagle Returns” to Aldbourne, England and the Stables that were home to Able Company, 506 for eleven months prior to and after Normandy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Remaining Aldbourne stable used by Able Co. communication team for storage.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brothers Neil and Clive Stevens, founders of the British Reenactors groups flank Don Burgett in front of the Crown, 506 “WWII officers only,” watering hole in Aldbourne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Neil Stevens and Don Burgett: Talk and answer session in Community House, Aldbourne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Neil Stevens and Jack Beckett’s family admire Don’s “An Eagle Returns” shirt, designed by Don’s daughter, René Powell.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Military convoy rest stop, Don Burgett autographs shirts, coats, anything and everything.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A young Brit who wants to be a 101st Screaming Eagle welcomes Don Burgett to Aldbourne and reenactors encampment.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Convoy en route to villages and towns around Aldbourne area.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
British reenactors dressed as American WWII Yanks. Part of the 750 who came to welcome Don Burgett “An Eagle Returns.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Dead Man’s Corner”: Site where Sherwood Trotter, Jim Hagenbuch, “Chute” Johnson, and Prentice Hundley with Don Burgett, machine gunner, Able Co., fought a Bn. of Germans. An American light tank was knocked out killing the entire crew. The spot is named for the tank Commander who’s body stayed upright in the turret for several days afterward.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don Burgett & cameraman Bob Schedlbower, prepare for photos where Don Burgett was seriously wounded in bayonet charge, Battle of Bloody Gulch, 13 June 1944.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ste Marie du Mont: where Able and Easy Companies, 506 stopped to refill canteens at the village water pump 7 June 1944. Don Burgett talking with tourists from “Reccewoody’s” Tour Bus Group.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Utah Beach Museum: Owner, Mayor of Ste Marie du Mont, presents Donald R. Burgett the Medal: “Citizen of Honor” in respect for Don taking part in the D Day Invasion.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don Burgett with photographer Bob Schedlbower near the south end of the Arnhem Bridge
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Zoenche Forest in Zon, Holland: Don at the first monument to be erected in Holland in honor of the 101st Abn. in Holland. Able Co. lost app. One third of its personnel in battle for the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Daughter and son in law, René and Clark Powell, with Don Burgett at monument in honor of Pvt. Joe Mann, 506, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Posthumously. Zon, Holland.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bastogne, Belgium: Monument to all units fighting in The Battle of the Bulge, 1944.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
René and Clark Powell with Don Burgett at entrance to the “Cave,” Headquarters of Brig. General Anthony McAuliffe, acting Commander 101st Airborne during siege of Bastogne.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
René and Clark Powell with Don Burgett, Toast with Sgt. Major of artillery unit in Fort at Bastogne. Don Burgett and party were the first civilians given permission to enter the “Cave” since Gen. McAuliffe and staff left in 1944.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dreaded entrance to Dachau Extermination Camp, Germany. Thousands of Jews and others perished in this and other camps.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
René, Bob and Don walk toward a guard tower within the confines of Dachau Prison.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Don and Cameraman Bob doing audio interview within the fence of Dachau.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This original crematorium oven in Dachau could not keep up with the schedule, which resulted in more ovens being built. Flowers in memoriam are always present.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Landsburg, Germany. Don Burgett stands before the prison where Adolph Hitler and Rudolph Hess served their prison terms before Hitler took power. Hitler, with Hess’ aid, wrote ‘Mein Kampf (My Battle) in this prison.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Entrance to the “Eagles Nest” Hitler’s hide-away in the mountains above Berchtesgaden.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The “Eagles Nest,” Hitler’s hide-away high above Berchtesgaden, now a restaurant open to the general public.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
René and Clark Powell, daughter and son in law, with Don Burgett, center, in the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, Normandy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The American cemetery at Omaha Beach, Normandy. Custodians requested Donald R. Burgett help lower and fold the American flag at Retreat while Taps were sounded over the cemetery and ocean below. A ritual very few Americans are honored to take part in.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Loud speakers allow the sound of taps to carry loud and clear over the entire cemetery and flow out over the ocean below. Don Burgett could not help but to have tears stream down over his cheeks. Rest my Comrades, Rest in peace.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, Normandy Donald R. Burgett folds the American Flag while the custodian holds the base end.