Colonel Donald F. Hanson was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in 1952. His duty assignments included: Unit Training Officer, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Platoon Leader and Company Commander, 19th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battle Group, 18th Infantry, Fort Riley, Kansas and Germany; Instructor, United States Army Infantry School; VN District Advisor; CD.C Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Executive Officer, 11th Infantry Brigade, Vietnam, Commander, 4/12 Infantry, Vietnam; Deputy Director, Company Operation Department, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Service Medal.