Donald G. Dunn
Donald G. Dunn | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 25, 1923 |
| Education | Wesleyan University |
Donald G. Dunn (June 25, 1923 – August 16, 2021) was a
Early life
Donald G. Dunn was born June 25, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, before volunteering at the age of 18 to join the United States Army.[1]
Military service
Dunn was trained at Camp Hale, Colorado, before deploying to Italy as a member of the 2nd Platoon, Company G, 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division. His first combat engagement came in March 1945 near the village of Iola in the Apennine Mountains in Northern Italy.[2]
The
Dunn personally led his soldiers across a narrow valley and onto the slopes of Hill 775, when machine gun fired pinned down the unit. Dunn ordered a fire team led by Corporal Harding Shelby to envelop the Germans by advancing up a draw, but Shelby and his soldiers were killed in the attempt to outflank the German positions. A sniper on the far side of the valley then began to pick off the remaining men, hitting them from behind. Wounded in the chest, Dunn decided to continue the attack and led his men up the hill. The Germans withdrew, leaving the American soldiers in possession of this key piece of terrain. The engagement expedited the advance of the 10th Mountain Division into the Po River Valley.[5]
For his heroism on Hill 775, Dunn was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.[6] His other awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and Combat Infantrymen's Badge.
Post-War career
Dunn returned to the
Dunn turned the leadership of the company over to his son James in the 1980s, but remained involved in the company until its sale to a private equity firm in 2015.[9] He continued to be active in politics and education. To honor his wartime service, in 2013 the Dunn family founded the Donald G. and Mary A. Dunn Chair of Modern Military History at The Ohio State University. [10]
In 2013, along with the founding of the Donald G. and Mary A. Dunn Chair of Modern Military History, the Donald G. Dunn Scholarship Fund was founded to support Ohio State University undergraduates and graduate students that are studying for the World War II study abroad program.[11]
Personal life
Dunn married Mary Elizabeth Altmaier in 1948 after graduating from Wesleyan University. The two then moved to Columbus, Ohio, where they raised five children. He died in August 2021 at the age of 98.[12]
References
- ^ "Remembering Wesleyan's 10th Mountain Division of World War II". Wesleyan University Magazine. May 20, 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Visit by Donald Dunn, 10th Mountain Division Veteran". Museo Iola di Montese. September 28, 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Operation Craftsman - Battle of Bologna, 14–21 April 45".
- ^ "Ridgway Foust : Captain from Pennsylvania, World War II Casualty". www.honorstates.org.
- ^ "Silver Star". Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences. Spring 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Awards of Silver Star". 10th Mountain Division HQ. United States Army 10th Mountain Division. July 19, 1945. National Archives and Records Administration II, Record Group 407, 310-0.1
- ^ Feran, Tim. "Still Active in the Company, Plaskolite founder embraces challenge, even at 95". dispatch.com. Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Burkhardt, Gail (June 6, 2019). "Chargin Ahead". Ohio Business.
- ^ "Charlesbank Capital Partners Makes Investment in Plaskolite, Inc". charlesbank.com. Charlesbank Capital. November 3, 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Donald G. and Mary A. Dunn Chair in Military History". history.osu.edu. The Ohio State University.
- ^ "In Memoriam: Donald G. Dunn (1923-2021) | Department of History". history.osu.edu. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ Donald Dunn obituary