World War II Honoree

Donald James Pletsch, Ph.D.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Minnesota

Honored By

Carlos A. Islas Family

IN 1942, AS A DOCTOR AND PROFESSOR OF ENTOMOLOGY AT MONTANA STATE COLLEGE, WAS COMMISSIONED AS A FIRST LIEUTENANT IN THE SANITARY CORPS. IN 1944, TOOK COMMAND OF THE 218TH MALARIA SURVEY DETACHMENT. IN JANUARY 1945 THE 218TH MOVED TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE 81ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN LEYTE AND NEW CALEDONIA. AFTER JAPAN FELL, THE DETACHMENT LANDED IN SNOW AT HOKKAIDO, JAPAN AND UNDERTOOK OPERATIONS TO CONTROL AN OUTBREAK OF LOUSE-BORNE TYPHUS AMONG CHINESE AND KOREAN LABORERS WHO HAD BEEN USED BY THE JAPANESE AS COAL MINERS.