First Lieutenant Donald Eugene Brent was born on December 22, 1916, in Weiser, Idaho, to George and Jessie Brent. He later moved to Oregon, where he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. As a B-24 Liberator pilot assigned to the 702nd Bombardment Squadron of the 445th Bomb Group, Lt. Brent flew numerous missions over Europe.
Lt. Brent's aircraft, nicknamed "Eileen," was severely damaged by enemy fighters on September 27, 1944. He ordered his crew to bail out; however, his parachute failed to deploy properly, and he was killed in action. Initially reported as missing, his status was later confirmed as killed in action.
Lt. Brent was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. He is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium.
