Donald served as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He resided in Berkeley MA. prior to the war. He had a sister who resided at 908 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
He was Killed In Action outside of Loue, France by German sniper fire coming from nearby woods. He was a proud man and wore the regalia afforded to him while consulting a map on the hood of his jeep. This likely made him a target. He awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is remembered today by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cenotaph here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biography gleaned from www.westpointaog.org
Graduate United States Military Academy Class of 1931
Donald Donaldson was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, 19 September 1908, the son of Colonel George C. and Alice (Balch) Donaldson. He attended grammar school in Hamilton, and high school in Ayer, Massachusetts and Valdez, Alaska, graduating from Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Washington in 1924. He attended Washington State College and the University of Vermont prior to his, at large, appointment to the United States Military Academy.
He was appointed (second lieutenant, Infantry) a company officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment. Between September 1931 and June 1932, he did temporary duty at Camp Dix, New Jersey. His next assignment found him at Fort Jay, New York, where he was a platoon commander and company supply officer until October 1934. At some point during this period, he was given a special assignment to return to Camp Dix to make preparations for receiving and organizing civilians who would participate in the C.C.C. program. January 1935 found him at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he became a company commander of the 35th Infantry. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 1 August 1935 and remained in this post until June 1937. Returning to the US, he attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia from August 1937 to June 1939. After completing his studies, he remained with the academic department of the Infantry School until September 1938. He then became a student at the Tank Course of the Infantry School until June
1939. In July 1939 he became a platoon commander of the 66th Infantry at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. A series of rapid assignments followed: Fort Benning; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; and Meridian, Mississippi. By 1 June 1940 he was a company commander in the 66th Infantry. He was appointed a captain, AUS 9 September 1940, and captain, RA 11 June 1941. Donald Donaldson served with the 66th Infantry through the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940, and the later formation of the 2nd Armored Division. When the 3rd Armored Division was activated Captain Donaldson was made S4 of the 32d Armored Regiment. He attended the Command and General Staff School, graduating in August 1941. During the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1942, now a major AUS, he participated as Armored Force liaison officer to the Third Army Directors Group. In December 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Donaldson (AUS, 24 Dec 1942) reported to Camp Bowie, Texas where he organized and trained the 749th Tank Battalion, a separate battalion which he led until his death.
On 13 November 1931, Colonel Donaldson married Marguerite Ruth Foos (deceased 6 July 1986), daughter of Brigadier General John W. and Maude (Stein) Foos. The family still has the letters exchanged between them during the war years. They are survived by four children and 14 grandchildren. He has many great grandchildren too now. This has been updated by his great-granddaughter (Reese Donaldson) a historian. She is the daughter of one of his grandchildren, Donald/James who is the son of his oldest, John. John became the "man of the house" after his father's premature death. He was also survived by a brother, Lieutenant Colonel George M. Ret. of Sack-ett's Harbor, New York.
In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal "For meritorious service in action from 28 July to 8 August 1944. ..." A high point for the family and for the surviving members of the battalion occurred on 26 July 1974 when, after thirty years, the people of Loue, France honored the men of the 749th, and the man who led them when the village was liberated. The town renamed several blocks of its main street "Rue du Colonel Donaldson."
(Bio and Cemetery submitted by John Dowdy)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He resided in Berkeley MA. prior to the war. He had a sister who resided at 908 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
He was Killed In Action outside of Loue, France by German sniper fire coming from nearby woods. He was a proud man and wore the regalia afforded to him while consulting a map on the hood of his jeep. This likely made him a target. He awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is remembered today by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cenotaph here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biography gleaned from www.westpointaog.org
Graduate United States Military Academy Class of 1931
Donald Donaldson was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, 19 September 1908, the son of Colonel George C. and Alice (Balch) Donaldson. He attended grammar school in Hamilton, and high school in Ayer, Massachusetts and Valdez, Alaska, graduating from Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Washington in 1924. He attended Washington State College and the University of Vermont prior to his, at large, appointment to the United States Military Academy.
He was appointed (second lieutenant, Infantry) a company officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment. Between September 1931 and June 1932, he did temporary duty at Camp Dix, New Jersey. His next assignment found him at Fort Jay, New York, where he was a platoon commander and company supply officer until October 1934. At some point during this period, he was given a special assignment to return to Camp Dix to make preparations for receiving and organizing civilians who would participate in the C.C.C. program. January 1935 found him at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he became a company commander of the 35th Infantry. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 1 August 1935 and remained in this post until June 1937. Returning to the US, he attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia from August 1937 to June 1939. After completing his studies, he remained with the academic department of the Infantry School until September 1938. He then became a student at the Tank Course of the Infantry School until June
1939. In July 1939 he became a platoon commander of the 66th Infantry at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. A series of rapid assignments followed: Fort Benning; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; and Meridian, Mississippi. By 1 June 1940 he was a company commander in the 66th Infantry. He was appointed a captain, AUS 9 September 1940, and captain, RA 11 June 1941. Donald Donaldson served with the 66th Infantry through the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940, and the later formation of the 2nd Armored Division. When the 3rd Armored Division was activated Captain Donaldson was made S4 of the 32d Armored Regiment. He attended the Command and General Staff School, graduating in August 1941. During the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1942, now a major AUS, he participated as Armored Force liaison officer to the Third Army Directors Group. In December 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Donaldson (AUS, 24 Dec 1942) reported to Camp Bowie, Texas where he organized and trained the 749th Tank Battalion, a separate battalion which he led until his death.
On 13 November 1931, Colonel Donaldson married Marguerite Ruth Foos (deceased 6 July 1986), daughter of Brigadier General John W. and Maude (Stein) Foos. The family still has the letters exchanged between them during the war years. They are survived by four children and 14 grandchildren. He has many great grandchildren too now. This has been updated by his great-granddaughter (Reese Donaldson) a historian. She is the daughter of one of his grandchildren, Donald/James who is the son of his oldest, John. John became the "man of the house" after his father's premature death. He was also survived by a brother, Lieutenant Colonel George M. Ret. of Sack-ett's Harbor, New York.
In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal "For meritorious service in action from 28 July to 8 August 1944. ..." A high point for the family and for the surviving members of the battalion occurred on 26 July 1974 when, after thirty years, the people of Loue, France honored the men of the 749th, and the man who led them when the village was liberated. The town renamed several blocks of its main street "Rue du Colonel Donaldson."
(Bio and Cemetery submitted by John Dowdy)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Donald served as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He resided in Berkeley MA. prior to the war. He had a sister who resided at 908 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
He was Killed In Action outside of Loue, France by German sniper fire coming from nearby woods. He was a proud man and wore the regalia afforded to him while consulting a map on the hood of his jeep. This likely made him a target. He awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is remembered today by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cenotaph here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biography gleaned from www.westpointaog.org
Graduate United States Military Academy Class of 1931
Donald Donaldson was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, 19 September 1908, the son of Colonel George C. and Alice (Balch) Donaldson. He attended grammar school in Hamilton, and high school in Ayer, Massachusetts and Valdez, Alaska, graduating from Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Washington in 1924. He attended Washington State College and the University of Vermont prior to his, at large, appointment to the United States Military Academy.
He was appointed (second lieutenant, Infantry) a company officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment. Between September 1931 and June 1932, he did temporary duty at Camp Dix, New Jersey. His next assignment found him at Fort Jay, New York, where he was a platoon commander and company supply officer until October 1934. At some point during this period, he was given a special assignment to return to Camp Dix to make preparations for receiving and organizing civilians who would participate in the C.C.C. program. January 1935 found him at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he became a company commander of the 35th Infantry. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 1 August 1935 and remained in this post until June 1937. Returning to the US, he attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia from August 1937 to June 1939. After completing his studies, he remained with the academic department of the Infantry School until September 1938. He then became a student at the Tank Course of the Infantry School until June
1939. In July 1939 he became a platoon commander of the 66th Infantry at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. A series of rapid assignments followed: Fort Benning; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; and Meridian, Mississippi. By 1 June 1940 he was a company commander in the 66th Infantry. He was appointed a captain, AUS 9 September 1940, and captain, RA 11 June 1941. Donald Donaldson served with the 66th Infantry through the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940, and the later formation of the 2nd Armored Division. When the 3rd Armored Division was activated Captain Donaldson was made S4 of the 32d Armored Regiment. He attended the Command and General Staff School, graduating in August 1941. During the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1942, now a major AUS, he participated as Armored Force liaison officer to the Third Army Directors Group. In December 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Donaldson (AUS, 24 Dec 1942) reported to Camp Bowie, Texas where he organized and trained the 749th Tank Battalion, a separate battalion which he led until his death.
On 13 November 1931, Colonel Donaldson married Marguerite Ruth Foos (deceased 6 July 1986), daughter of Brigadier General John W. and Maude (Stein) Foos. The family still has the letters exchanged between them during the war years. They are survived by four children and 14 grandchildren. He has many great grandchildren too now. This has been updated by his great-granddaughter (Reese Donaldson) a historian. She is the daughter of one of his grandchildren, Donald/James who is the son of his oldest, John. John became the "man of the house" after his father's premature death. He was also survived by a brother, Lieutenant Colonel George M. Ret. of Sack-ett's Harbor, New York.
In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal "For meritorious service in action from 28 July to 8 August 1944. ..." A high point for the family and for the surviving members of the battalion occurred on 26 July 1974 when, after thirty years, the people of Loue, France honored the men of the 749th, and the man who led them when the village was liberated. The town renamed several blocks of its main street "Rue du Colonel Donaldson."
(Bio and Cemetery submitted by John Dowdy)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He resided in Berkeley MA. prior to the war. He had a sister who resided at 908 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, Monroe County, New York.
He was Killed In Action outside of Loue, France by German sniper fire coming from nearby woods. He was a proud man and wore the regalia afforded to him while consulting a map on the hood of his jeep. This likely made him a target. He awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is remembered today by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Cenotaph here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biography gleaned from www.westpointaog.org
Graduate United States Military Academy Class of 1931
Donald Donaldson was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, 19 September 1908, the son of Colonel George C. and Alice (Balch) Donaldson. He attended grammar school in Hamilton, and high school in Ayer, Massachusetts and Valdez, Alaska, graduating from Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Washington in 1924. He attended Washington State College and the University of Vermont prior to his, at large, appointment to the United States Military Academy.
He was appointed (second lieutenant, Infantry) a company officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment. Between September 1931 and June 1932, he did temporary duty at Camp Dix, New Jersey. His next assignment found him at Fort Jay, New York, where he was a platoon commander and company supply officer until October 1934. At some point during this period, he was given a special assignment to return to Camp Dix to make preparations for receiving and organizing civilians who would participate in the C.C.C. program. January 1935 found him at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he became a company commander of the 35th Infantry. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 1 August 1935 and remained in this post until June 1937. Returning to the US, he attended the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia from August 1937 to June 1939. After completing his studies, he remained with the academic department of the Infantry School until September 1938. He then became a student at the Tank Course of the Infantry School until June
1939. In July 1939 he became a platoon commander of the 66th Infantry at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. A series of rapid assignments followed: Fort Benning; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; and Meridian, Mississippi. By 1 June 1940 he was a company commander in the 66th Infantry. He was appointed a captain, AUS 9 September 1940, and captain, RA 11 June 1941. Donald Donaldson served with the 66th Infantry through the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940, and the later formation of the 2nd Armored Division. When the 3rd Armored Division was activated Captain Donaldson was made S4 of the 32d Armored Regiment. He attended the Command and General Staff School, graduating in August 1941. During the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1942, now a major AUS, he participated as Armored Force liaison officer to the Third Army Directors Group. In December 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Donaldson (AUS, 24 Dec 1942) reported to Camp Bowie, Texas where he organized and trained the 749th Tank Battalion, a separate battalion which he led until his death.
On 13 November 1931, Colonel Donaldson married Marguerite Ruth Foos (deceased 6 July 1986), daughter of Brigadier General John W. and Maude (Stein) Foos. The family still has the letters exchanged between them during the war years. They are survived by four children and 14 grandchildren. He has many great grandchildren too now. This has been updated by his great-granddaughter (Reese Donaldson) a historian. She is the daughter of one of his grandchildren, Donald/James who is the son of his oldest, John. John became the "man of the house" after his father's premature death. He was also survived by a brother, Lieutenant Colonel George M. Ret. of Sack-ett's Harbor, New York.
In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal "For meritorious service in action from 28 July to 8 August 1944. ..." A high point for the family and for the surviving members of the battalion occurred on 26 July 1974 when, after thirty years, the people of Loue, France honored the men of the 749th, and the man who led them when the village was liberated. The town renamed several blocks of its main street "Rue du Colonel Donaldson."
(Bio and Cemetery submitted by John Dowdy)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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