Murphy, Donald Max

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: MURP.D004
• _FGRAVE: 56771095
• Military Service: World War II, Private First Class, Company C, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division

Notes:

Following is a letter that was written to his parents by a soldier that was with him in the Philippines.

Dear Mrs. Murphy,

I really don't know just how to really begin yet I've got to write and let you know just how I feel and the rest of the fellows in the platoon feel too. This is the first chance I've had to write or I'd have done it much sooner. Mrs. I know how you feel about Donald's death and I want you to know we all feel pretty bad ourselves, not nearly as bad as you though, but I thought maybe this letter might help just a little if you knew just a little more about everything. I'll begin at the start.

My name is Fred Heitzinger. I'm the same age as Don. I came from a little town in Pennsylvania. Ever since Don and I joined the company he and I were the best of pals. I don't know if he ever mentioned anything about me, but I still thought the world of him. We both were in the same squad from start to finish and come through some pretty tough spots in the New Guinea invasion. I really never got to know Don until we were settled and shared the same hut together and became darn good pals.

A lot of nights we'd talk about home, our loved ones and everything in general. Don used to call me City Slicker and I'd call him a Plow Jockey. It was all in fun just something to argue about. We became attached to each other like brothers, at least that's the way I looked at it.

Well at last the orders come down we were hitting the P. I.'s. We knew it was going to be the toughest fighting we'd ever had, but everyone was ready for it. We knew there would be a lot of us that wouldn't come out of it alive and there was but not one of those men died in vain. We are fighting for our country and you people back home whom we love so dear. I'm sure that there is not a fellow here today that wouldn't gladly give his life so the things he loved would be untouched. Our division has gotten a very good name for itself. I guess it was because we went through the hardest fighting in the P. I.'s and Don was in the thick of it. All like the rest of us, we'd been under fire for about ten days and nights together. The eleventh day we were ordered to take this hill which is known as "break neck Hill". The Japs were making their last stand and did quite a good job of it. Not one lived to get off.

Well, we advanced under very heavy fire. Just at the bottom is where Don got hit. He was an important man because he was armed with a BAR, the one weapon the Japs hate the worse, so Don drew a lot of fire and was finally hit. I was right in back of him and seen it all. It came fast and he didn't know a thing about it. Thank God for that.

Mrs. Murphy, you can be the proudest mother, if it were not for Don our whole squad of twelve men would have gotten it. He gave us fire while we advanced. We owe a great deal to him and are darn proud he was one of us. You had a great son Mrs. Murphy. He died a hero in the eyes of God and all of us.

One thing Don had the best burial ceremony that could be had. Pastor Yufond gave grace. Mrs. Murphy, as you can see I'm not much good at this but I wanted you to know.

Would you please show this or tell Sarah just what took place. I'm sure Don would want it that way.

Enclosed is some snapshots we took in New Guinea. They aren't very good but I thought you'd like them. I've sent home for large sizes and will send them also as soon as I receive them. Will close now. I hope this helped just a little.

On behalf of the squad,
Yours,
Fred Heitzinger

Contributor: Jane Ries (47157457)

Military Service:
Private First Class. Awarded The Purple Heart Medal for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death on November 14, 1944. At that time, he was in combat with the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division engaged in the recapture of Breakneck Ridge near Limon on Leyte Island. Also eligible posthumously for The American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with at least one bronze battle star, The Philippine Liberation Medal and The WWII Victory Medal. Buried with military honors at Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. Honored also at WWII Memorial in Flora, Illinois.


(This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.)

Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1898100

Buried:
Plot D, Row 16, Grave 191

There is also a Memorial Headstone located at Old Union Cemetery, Louisville, Clay County, Illinois, FindaGrave Memorial #25058005