Don had some pretty incredible stories to tell about his years in the war. He had several near-death experiences. Once he was saved because he and his fellow soldiers boarded a ship in alphabetical order which put him near the front. When a Japanese sub literally cut the ship in half, most of the soldiers went down with it. Don and several others survived and were able to hang on to what was left of the ship until they were rescued the next morning.
Don was given several medals and awards including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He was shot in the leg during a bonsai attack in the Philippines. It took five days to evacuate him to a hospital ship and by then he had gangrene in his leg and it was swollen to twice its size. Amputation was put off only because of higher priority emergency gut wounds arriving at the hospital. By the time the doctor returned to Don the next morning, maggots had eaten away much of the poison in his leg, the swelling went down, and it was determined that his leg could be saved. Despite these and other horrific experiences, including severe dehydration and the perils of being surrounded by the enemy time and time again, Don served three years without a furlough.
A kinder, gentler man would be hard to find. We first met Don several years ago when he spent his days making furniture in his garage and we were in need of a couple of dressers. Over the years we purchased several things from him and even had him make some custom items like our piano bench and a dresser/armoire for our bedroom. We easily became friends and enjoyed visiting with him at his home on a few occasions or at community events. Don and his wife surprised us with a visit on Christmas morning one year which was a highlight of our day.
Don, you will be missed. Thanks for your example of strength through adversity and patience amidst affliction. Rest in peace.
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| Don in the Homecoming parade a few years ago. |
3 comments:
Such a blessing to know people like this. The world definitely loses something special when one of them goes. Nice tribute, Missy.
wonderful post Missy - loved this man & his sweet Rosie too!
THE LEADER OF THE BAND IS GONE. He has left an empty spot in my heart. I know he is with our Heavenly Father, and maybe someday he will pave a little corner of concrete on the streets of gold, so he can say, I poured this. I am going to miss you terribly Dad.
Thank you Missy, for the wonderful and kind words about Dad. He has touched a lot of lives.
Diane Brooks
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