This will always be a special day to me and so yes, I'll post this once again. October 9, 1944 is the date my Dad was wounded during WWII. His action that day earned him the Silver Star as well the Purple Heart. He later was awarded the Bronze Star for action during the Battle of the Bulge. Anyone that knew my Dad, knew him to be a quiet, sweet, fun loving man, and not someone that you would ever suspect was considered a war hero. In all the research I’ve done for The Heart of the Soldier, I’m amazed at the challenges those serving rose above and accomplished. In my Dad’s case, as part of the Normandy invasion, they landed in July, 1944. There were many days of fighting but on October 9th, their platoon was ambushed in France and there were 20 casualties, including the platoon leader who was killed. My Dad told us that the tanks were behind them, unaware of the ambush since the area they were moving through was considered secure. My Father knew they needed to alert the tank unit of the need for support. With little to no cover, Dad had to dive behind the only thing available, a farmer's field of cabbage plants. In the process, he was shot 3 times, once through the nose and also through his shoulder and arm but this did not stop him. My Mom would then always tell us that the Germans were aiming for his head as they knew what he was trying to accomplish. The Silver Star paperwork said that under heavy enemy fire, he rallied the remainder of the platoon and led them forward and that he led a section of tank destroyers into his area to cover his men while they took up new positions. Although wounded, he continued to lead until he was eventually evacuated due to his injuries. "His aggressive leadership and gallantry are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Infantrymen." On a lighter note, when he awoke, he was actually found himself to be in the part of the hospital where the German soldiers were treated. We always suspected that it was due to his ruddy Scottish complexion. Anyway, he asked for a cup of coffee and the nurses went into shock, then action, when they heard him speak English. They immediately rushed to get him out of that section.
I was actually working on The Heart of a Soldier today, my book in process that centers around Dad's letters written home during the war, my parents' love story, as well as the path and experiences of the Sixth Armored Division, serving under General Patton, and select World War II history. The latter two to provide some background as to what was going on as he wrote the letters. While this book is still being fine-tuned, it is my goal that it will be published prior to the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020. I hope the book honors my Father and Mother, and others from that generation, particularly a few of my Uncles who also served. I’ve included excerpts in the book from some of their letters and a couple of my parents’ friends who served too. Hopefully the book gives some insight into the lives of the many soldiers and civilians so greatly impacted by WWII. With so many lives lost during that war, I know my Dad and our family were truly blessed during those war years, even those of us who were at the time still just a “twinkle in my parents’ eyes” as the saying goes. Love and miss you Dad and you too Mom.
Note: I’m proud to add that my father, 1st Sergeant George Donald (December 20, 1914 – October 7, 1995) was awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star for Valor in saving 15 to 20 men’s lives and received the Purple Heart for the three bullet wounds through his nose and shoulder in 1944. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served in General Patton’s Sixth Armored Division, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion.
