PFC Donald J. Ogilvie

courtesy of Des Philippet

PFC Donald J. Ogilvie was born in 1921 in Buffalo, New York. He was the 4th of 5 children born to John Burton and Emma Emelie (Holmes) Ogilvie. His mother died just 3 years later and the children were split up among the grandparents. His father worked as a truck driver and although he re-married in 1939, the children remained with their now widowed grandmothers. Donald was able to complete 2-years of high school.

Donald was also working as a driver when he voluntarily enlisted in the Army for one year in September 1940. Donald was discharged in September 1941 and married Doris in that same year. He then started work as a machinist. He and Doris would have a daughter.

Then in November 1943 Donald was drafted and re-trained. He was then sent to Europe and transferred from the replacement depot to K Company 116th Infantry on 3 Sep 1944. PVT Ogilvie was promoted to PFC on 1 Nov 1944. PFC Ogilvie was killed in action on 5 Dec 1944.

PFC Ogilvie is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Brother, John Henry Ogilvie, was serving in the New York National Guard as a CPL when his unit was activated in 1941 and served through the war in the 174th Infantry.