Donald Septimus Bryan (August 15, 1921 – May 15, 2012) was an American flying ace in World War II, who was credited with 13 aerial victories while serving with the 352d Fighter Group.

[5] Flying the P-47, Bryan was credited with a shared aerial victory on January 29, 1944, when he and his wingman shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 while en route to Namur, Belgium.

[7] In the massive aerial battle, Bryan was attacked by Bf 109s and he performed a daring maneuver called “inverted vertical reversement".

[7][1][8] During the Battle of the Bulge, which started on December 16, the 352nd FG was moved forward to airfield Y-29 near Asch, Belgium.

He scored his 13th and last aerial victory of the war, when he chased and shot down an Ar 234 over Germany on March 14, 1945, after encountering it during a bomber escort.

[9][6] After returning to the U.S. and taking leave, Bryan served as Operations and Training Assistant Air Inspector with the 342nd Base Unit in Florida from July to September 1945.

[1] After he retired from the Air Force, Bryan worked at an engineering firm in Syracuse, New York.

[1][3] His awards include:[4] The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Donald Septimus Bryan, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force, during a bomber escort mission over Germany, on 2 November 1944.

Captain Bryan led his flight into the center of the attacking formation of enemy aircraft where he closed on one and hit it several times.

His courage and outstanding aggressiveness in the presence of great danger were exemplary of the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.