World War II Honoree

Donald E. Cochrun

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

South Vienna, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY MARCH 6, 1944 AT FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, WHERE HE EXPERIENCED COMBAT WITH EASY COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 12TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, FOURTH ‘IVY’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE U.S. FIRST ARMY. ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1944 HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES IN THE VICINITY OF ECHTERNACH, LUXEMBOURG DURING THE GERMAN ARDENNES OFFENSIVE, BATTLE OF THE BULGE. AFTER HIS CAPTURE, HE WAS EVENTUALLY TRANSPORTED AND INCARCERATED AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, STALAG III-A LOCATED AT BRANDENBURG, PRUSSIA. HE DIED OF UNKNOWN CAUSES ON SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 1945 AND WAS BURIED IN STALAG III-A CEMETERY. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS.