World War II Honoree

Donald Earl Hardenbrook

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Omaha, Nebraska

Honored By

Mariane H. Gabriel

Relationship

Daughter

RANK; STAFF SERGEANT. SPECIALTY; RIFLEMAN. SERVED IN COMPANY 'C', 134TH INFANTRY. RECEIVED BRONZE STAR (LATER UPGRADED TO SILVER STAR), PURPLE HEART, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE RIBBON. PARTICIPATED IN BATTLES AT NORMANDY (D-DAY), NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES, CENTRAL EUROPE, AND BATTLE OF THE BULGE. RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR HEROIC SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST AN ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES, NEAR LUTREBOIS, BELGIUM (BATTLE OF THE BULGE) ON 5TH, 6TH, AND 7TH OF JANUARY 1945. DURING AN ATTACK AGAINST THE ENEMY, COMPANY 'C' 134TH INFANTRY OVERSHOT ITS OBJECTIVE AND PROCEEDED TO REORGANIZE IN AN AREA UNDER ENEMY OBSERVATION AND ARTILLERY FIRE. HE VOLUNTEERED TO BRING IN SUPPLIES AND, OVER A PERIOD OF THREE DAYS, MADE NUMEROUS TRIPS UNDER ENEMY OBSERVATION AND FIRE WITH EQUIPMENT AND RATIONS WHICH ENABLED THE UNIT TO MAINTAIN ITS ADVANCED POSITION.