Don Yates of Mona, Utah was forced to become a man at age 16! Part One.

If you don't know 91 year old Don Yates of Mona, you need to visit him, as his stories  will penetrate your heart. He is of that generation where work ethics were supreme. On his 16th birthday, his father died, and he was forced to man up and take care of the 22 acre farm with his mother. His two older brothers went to war against Nazi Germany. My interview with Don was delightful; thought provoking and bought me as close to tears, even though I have interviewed or interrogated thousands of people including a Nazi soldier. Don dropped out of Juab High School in the 10th grade and ran the farm until he found more pay working the mines of Eureka at age 17. He stated as a Mucker at 1400 feet below then started to feel the bad air, so became a miner, but that too was unhealthy so he quit. He quit but soon found work at Ironton as a train Conductor; Train Engineer at Toole Army Depot, but always like to be at his Mona home with his farm which he built up to 180 acres; beloved wife and daughters-Donnette, Brenda, Melanie, Angela, RaDawna and sons Kerry, Donavan and Gerard. His favorite foods are all America Meat and Potatoes. His favorite political figure was Douglas MacArthur and favorite President was Franklin Roosevelt, and he had good reasons for both. On the third time Don returned to the story about his older brother who was killed as a Tail Gunner of the ten man crew of a B-17, I decided to listen intently. On the day he was shot down, that plane was no longer a "Flying Fortress"! On his 18th mission, his crew went deep in to Germany to hit a ball bearing plant and without fight support. All the B-17's were shot down and all men were killed. His body was in tack and the War Department screwed up a little because of the debris,  different telegraphs were sent to the family that Dean was "seriously injured" then another telegram saying he was "MIA", then the final one after two months was he was killed and buried in France. The Army Air Corps offered to send the body back to Mona, but after discussing it with his mother, who had just buried Dons father, they decided to leave Dean buried "overthere". I then asked if he was a spiritual person, and he said and his facial expression showed he was and went on to explain. He earnestly prayed if it was the right decision to leave his brothers remains stay in France or reburied in Mona. Don was given one of those absolute impressions that his brother whispered "I am Home" and Don was then at peace. Don Yates is one of the best men, husbands, father and friend anybody could ask for. When we spoke of who he thought would be the first to welcome him "Home" his response was slow, but methodical and the first I had heard one of its kind. It would be Ross Garrett, who was the LDS Juab Stake President at the time. Don is one of a kind. Get to know this man, a true nugget of gold.