Thomas A. Donlan, Jr.

Thomas A Donlan Jr. was born on April 5th, 1914 to Ellen Campbell and Thomas A Donlan in New Jersey. He was the eldest son of two; his brother James being the youngest. He was raised by his mother in North Bergen but later moved to Weehawken.

Thomas left high school after his sophomore year and became a printer’s apprentice. Later Thomas dipped his hand into public service and became a policeman. However, he was only a policeman for a short amount of time.
Thomas enlisted on June 13th, 1942 in Newark to be a Warrant Officer for the duration of the War. Later however, he joined the 113th Cavalry

Reconnaissance Squadron of the Army.  Thomas trained at Camp (now Ft.) Hood, Texas. In January 1944, the Squadron landed in Glasgow, Scotland.
Thomas spent his time overseas in France with E Troop, where he battled the Germans in Normandy, crossed the Vire et Taute Canal, captured towns, and saw 4 days of fighting against a German counterattack.

On July 21st, 1944, Thomas was killed in action while serving in France. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, NY.

Ancestry.com

1. 1920 United States Federal Census
2. 1930 United States Federal Census
3. 1940 United States Federal Census about Thomas Donlan
4. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
5. U.S. Headstone Applications for Miliary Veterans, 1925-1953

fold3.com (Historical Military Records)

1. World War II Army and Army Air Force Casualty List - New Jersey

National World War II Memorial, Wash., D.C. Website

1. War Department Files - PVT Thomas A. Donlan, Jr.

battlevault.com

1. Brief history of the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron

Web Links

1. Roll of Honor - 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) - E Troop
2. World War II 113th Cavalry veteran recalls fighting to the end

Find A Grave Website

1. Thomas A. Donlan, Jr.