CAPTAIN ANDREW AMONG INJURED IN ITALY ACTION
Captain Don Andrew, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Andrew of this city, was seriously wounded in the recent bitter Italian fighting in which several other members of the Iowa National Guard unit from this city were killed and several reported missing or wounded.
The Webster City serviceman’s parents have been notified by the captain’s wife, now living in Des Moines, that both a government notice and a letter from Andrew had said he was wounded seriously, evidently some time in July. The letter was dated July 18.
This is the third time that Captain Andrew has been wounded as he was injured in Africa and again in Italy on June 26 when hit by shrapnel.
Following his first injury in Italy he was assigned to a rest camp, but it is believed he was called back to the front and took command of the Webster City company following the death of Capt. Kenneth Nichols, July 11. Andrew had been detached from his old company and was connected with one made up largely of men from Fort Dodge.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, August 2, 1944
OBITUARY:
Donald Andrew, 79, Webster City, died May 20, 1995, at the Hamilton County Public Hospital. Mr. Andrew was cremated and memorial services will be 1:30 p.m.Wednesday at the Foster Funeral Home with Rev. Vernon Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Military services will be conducted by American Legion Post 191.
Donald Melvin, son of Otis and Lulu Baker Andrew, was born July 5, 1915, in Webster City. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1934. He also attended Webster City Junior College. He served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater. In 1938, he married Deloris Eddie. The couple were later divorced. On November 15, 1946, he married Betty Jane Scharff in Davenport. The couple resided in Webster City. He was employed at Beams (Frigidaire). He was also employed at Hart-Carter from 1959 to 1969. He was later employed at Hagie Manufacturing in Clarion until his retirement in 1979. His wife died in March of 1990, and he continued to reside in Webster City.
He is survived by Kay Andersen, Las Vegas, Nev.; Wayne Andrew, and Donna and John Larson, Webster City; Bonny and Ron Nelson, Fort Wayne, Ind.; six grandchildren; two sisters and two brothers Deloris Tate, Evelyn Andrew, Mike Andrew, and Charles Andrew all of Webster City; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Delbert, Richard and Everett; and a daughter Lola Ann Center.
He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was also a member of American Legion Post #191, the VFW and the DAV. He was past president of the UAW Local 442.
Donald Melvin Andrew was born July 5, 1915 to Otis S. and Lula Mae Baker Andrew. He died May 20, 1995 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Capt. Andrew served with Co. E and was awarded the Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat Infantry Badge. In 1941 he was one of the first group of American soldiers to be given commando training in England and was later detailed to teach the tactics to U.S. troops.
Sources:
Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
ancestry.com
