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name
LENNO, Donald C "Poochee/Benny" - Date of
birth
3 December 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Wisconsin -
Hometown
Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36989407 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
28th Infantry Regiment,
8th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
1 April 1945 - Place of
death
Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 3 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles W. Lenno (father)
Agnes M. (Robinson) Lenno (mother)
Virginia M. Lenno (sister)
More information
Sgt. Donald C. Lenno graduated from Badger High School where he was a cheerleader and the first clarinetist in the school band.He enlisted in June 1944.
His interest in music stayed with him in Europe per a letter home: "They're calling me 'Benny' now ... after Goodman, and trying to find a clarinet for me. Sure would like to get the feel of one again."
In another letter home: "...the 23rd of February...that's a day I'll never forget. That was the morning of the jump-off we made across the Roer river. It was really rough and I'm not kidding. We ended up with about 18 rifles and 30 some men in the company. There was a lot of barbed wire and mines on the opposite bank -- also plenty of artillery and machine gun fire. Oh well -- so much for that -- it's past and something to forget about, I say."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Lake Geneva Regional News - 19 April 1945