Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
J.
Donovan
KIA (WWII)

Home:

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Buried: 

Colleville-sur-Mer

, 

France

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Normandy

Joseph John Donovan used the birth certificate of his older brother John Joseph who died as a baby to enlist in the army at the age of 17, although his true name was Joseph John Donovan. The family was expecting him to come home because he had been injured and was in the hospital in England but he was loyal to those he served with and decided to stay and participate in D-Day. He told his mother he had started the paperwork to change his name but it never went through before he died.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 52 (July 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private John J. Donovan (ASN: 12006534), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. When enemy forces threatened to out-flank his section, Private Donovan warned his comrades of the danger and, at the cost of his life, fearlessly attacked the opposing group with rifle and bayonet. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.