Donald M. Bonforte (32722094)

Rank: Corporal

Date of Enlistment: 25 Jan 1943, New York City

Dates of Service: 25 Jan 43 to 23 Jul 44 USA

31 Jul 44 to 15 Dec 44 ETO

Date of Discharge: 8 Nov 1945, Tilton General Hospital Fort Dix, N.J.

Donald Bonforte was injured on December 5th, 1944 when he fell from his observation position in a church steeple just outside of Weiswiler, Germany. The photograph above was an artist's rendering of Donald while he was recuperating from his wounds at Fort Dix. Donald's right leg was three inches shorter than his left leg as a result of his injuries received during the war, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Donald was good friends with Lieutenant Eugene "Howie" Howerton. Below is a letter written to Donald's family from Gene Howerton expressing his condolences and pages from Lt. Howerton's memoirs that talk about Donald Bonforte.