Donald R. Young was born March 31st, 1928 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. He served in the Korean War. Donald is my great uncle. He is the twin brother to my grandfather, Ronald Young, who is a surviving war veteran.

Donald got sick when he was in the first grade. He suffered from rheumatic fever and it caused him to miss half of the school the year and as a result, he had to repeat the entire year. So, even thought Donald and my grandfather were twins, my grandfather graduated a year ahead of him. It was a very hard thing to take when Donald was preparing for the war.

Donald enlisted in January of 1947. He served in the Army Infantry. The Korean War broke out in June of 1950. He got called to the Army Reserve in September of 1950. He was sent out to Korea and jointed the second infantry division in December of that same year.

Unfortunately, Donald was killed in action in February of 1951. He was killed by an enemy mortar shell that exploded nearby. It was a very hard hit to the family, especially my grandfather. Donald is buried in Wisconsin Rapids.

Written by:
Mary Koconis
East Junior High School