Private
United States Army
Donald Anthony Meyer, the son of Otto W. and Ella (Fick) Meyer, was born in Davenport, Iowa on 9 September 1918. He was one of eight boys. Father A. H. Schoennigh baptized him on 15 October 1918, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Donald graduated from Saint Ambrose Academy (Class of 1938). After graduation, he worked at Parker's Department Store for a short time and then worked at Rock Island Arsenal.
Donald married the former Evalyn L. Benshoof on 26 October 1943.
He enlisted in the United States Army on 19 April 1943. He received his basic training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and received advance training as a glider infantryman at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. He left for England in August 1944 and arrived in France on 25 December 1944, later going to Belgium where he was assigned to the 194th Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division.
In a War Department telegram to Evalyn, she learned that Donald died from the wounds he received in Belgium on 4 January 1945.
Donald was survived by his wife; his parents; and five brothers, Clarence, Kenneth, Eugene, William, and James.
Private Donald Anthony Meyer, United States Army, is buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
Source of Information:
1. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 16 February 1945, pages 1 and 2.
2. Davenport Democrat and Times, 6 February 1945, page 1.
3. National Archives, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel for the State of Iowa.
4. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
5. Baptismal Register, St. Joseph Parish, Davenport, Iowa for Year 1918.
6. Letter from Rev. William Meyer dated
16 June 2004. Rev. William is Donald's brother.
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