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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