- SURNAME
Dunham
- FORENAME
Don Beeson
- UNIT
504 Parachute Infantry Regiment (RHQ - S3)
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
0-293927
- DATE OF DEATH
17th September 1943
- AGE
32
- GRAVESITE
Woodlake District Cemetery, Woodlake, Tulare County, California
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Lemon Cove, Tulare County, California
born 01.12.1910, Klamath Agency, Oregon, USA
father Edward A. Dunham (1883-1950)
mother Katherine Winifred Dunham (1885-1918)
1933 married Nellie Doris (nee Pogue) (1913-2015)
2 children Don Jr & Susan
attended Hill Military School, Portland, Oregon
attended Oregon State College
07.1941 entered service as Captain (instructor Camp Roberts)
03.1943 transferred Paratroopers
award DSC
KIA Altavilla, Italy
DATE OF DEATH:
17-Sep-1943AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/dunham-don-b.41697/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Don B. Dunham (ASN: 0-293027), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 17 September 1943, about one-half mile northeast of Albanella, Italy. When the Headquarters of his Regiment had been surrounded by enemy forces, Major Dunham volunteered to go out in the face of enemy artillery, machine gun, and rifle fire to obtain reinforcements, after two previous messengers had been fatally wounded. In the course of pursuing this mission, Major Dunham was killed. That Major Dunham volunteered to seek reinforcements for his Headquarters in the face of almost certain death was an inspiration to the men and officers of his regiment. The unusual courage, self-sacrifice and devotion to duty displayed by Major Dunham exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/22074FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48082654/don-beeson-dunham
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