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name
CLAAR, Donald D - Date of
birth
17 August 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Union County, Ohio -
Hometown
Allen Township, Union County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35228783 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Communications Chief -
Unit
E Company,
2nd Battalion,
318th Infantry Regiment,
80th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 February 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Biesdorf, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Clarence A. Claar (father)
Emma C. (Kandel) Claar (mother)
Gerald W. Claar (brother)
Doris (Chandler) Claar (wife)
More information
Sgt Donald D. Claar graduated from Allen Center High School in 1937 and was a mechanic employed by the Devers Automatic Screw Machine Company.He enlisted in Columbus, Ohio on 13 September 1943. He trained at Fort Eustice, Virginia and was sent overseas in June 1944.
Per Capt John W. Osberg, Chaplain, "On 9 February 1945, the company was making a crossing of the Sauer River from Luxembourg into Germany. As the boat in which Donald was riding neared the German side, they encountered a barrage of enemy rockets. Donald was struck by this fire. The boat was last seen drifting downstream in the strong current. A search of the river bank was made but to no avail. He was then reported missing in action. After a thorough investigation, it has been concluded that Donald either died of wounds or was drowned further downstream."
Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com – 1930/1940 Census / U.S. Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card File / U.S. Draft Cards Young Men / Ohio Birth Index, www.80thdivision.com, Hannah Majewski - Glenna Bell
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - soilsister, Hannah Majewski - Glenna Bell