On the road

On the road

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Profiles Honor Flight DFW Spring-Summer 2014


 

Donald was a sophomore in high school on Sunday, December 7, 1941. This was in Paullina, Iowa. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 6, 1944, which of course was the date of the Allied invasion of Hitler’s fortress Europe.

After basic training, Donald was sent to Europe as part of the 9th Infantry Division. The 9th was also called “The Varsity” division. It was activated on August 1, 1940. The division arrived overseas on December     11, 1942 as part of the invasion of North Africa. The division took part in this campaign as well as Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. The division was in combat a total of 264 days.

Donald was part of the 37th Regiment of the 1st Battalion, C Company of the 9th Infantry Division. His job was that of rifleman, anti-tank gunner and clerk typist. Among many others he participated in the battle for the bridge at Remagen and the Ruhr pocket. His unit entered Winterberg, Germany from the east, going around the edge of the Ruhr pocket after heavy engagement with the German’s on Easter Sunday 1945.

Donald saw a lot of combat, and he says that of course, out of necessity, this caused him to mature very quickly. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the WWII Victory medal, the African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 bronze battle stars. He also received 2 Overseas Service Bars, the Army Occupation medal-Germany and the good conduct medal.

On June 6, 1946 Donald was discharged with the rank of sergeant.

    

 

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