Donald L. Sutton
NAME: Donald Leroy Sutton
ASN: 36159286
PLACE OF BIRTH: Fort Wayne, IN
DATE OF BIRTH: 11 Aug 1919
DATES OF SERVICE: 31 Jul 1941 - 01 Jul 1945
UNIT ASSIGNED:
HHC 504th Parachute Battalion
C Company 504th Parachute Battalion
F Company 2nd Battalion 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
F Company 2nd Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment
1st ACAD Co Sp TRPS TPS
CAMPAIGNS: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno
AWARDS: Combat Infantrymen Badge, Parachutist Badge, American Defense Service Ribbon, EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead and four campaign stars, WWII Victory Medal, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation, four Overseas Service Bars, British Red Beret, French 3rd Zouaves Regiment Badge
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
11 Aug 1919 - Born in Fort Wayne, IN to Iris Fern Sutton
1938 - Attended western University, Battle Creek, Mich. with major course of study in Electrical Engineering
1941 - Worked for Spicers MFG Co. Hillsdale, Mich. Operated Norton and Cincinnati hydraulic centerless external grinder. Made own grinder set up. Read blue prints. Used micrometer and gauges.
Home of record: RFD North Adams, MI Civilian Occupation: 6-78.511 Centerless Grinder Operator
Local Selective Service No. 1, Hillsdale Co, MI
31 Jul 1941 - Enlisted at Kalamazoo, MI - NARA Enlistment Record
| ARMY SERIAL NUMBER | 36159286 | 36159286 |
| NAME | SUTTON#DONALD#L######### | SUTTON#DONALD#L######### |
| RESIDENCE: STATE | #2 | Undefined Code |
| RESIDENCE: COUNTY | 059 | Undefined Code |
| PLACE OF ENLISTMENT | 6255 | KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY | 31 | 31 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH | 07 | 07 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR | 41 | 41 |
| GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION | PVT# | Private |
| GRADE: CODE | 8 | Private |
| BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION | BI# | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| BRANCH: CODE | 00 | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| FIELD USE AS DESIRED | # | # |
| TERM OF ENLISTMENT | 0 | Undefined Code |
| LONGEVITY | ### | ### |
| SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL | 0 | Civil Life |
| NATIVITY | 51 | INDIANA |
| YEAR OF BIRTH | 19 | 19 |
| RACE AND CITIZENSHIP | 1 | White, citizen |
| EDUCATION | 4 | 4 years of high school |
| CIVILIAN OCCUPATION | 702 | Semiskilled occupations in manufacture of automobiles, n.e.c. |
| MARITAL STATUS | 6 | Single, without dependents |
| COMPONENT OF THE ARMY | 7 | Selectees (Enlisted Men) |
| CARD NUMBER | # | # |
| BOX NUMBER | 1039 | 1039 |
| FILM REEL NUMBER | 5.101 | 5.101 |
MOS: Message Center Clerk 667
09 Nov 1941 - Qualified as Marksman on Rifle
Pvt. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 volunteers for the Paratroops
17 Nov 1941 - Pvt. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 begins parachute training as Class #9 at The Parachute School at Fort Benning, GA
25 Dec 1941 - Pvt. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 504th Parachute Battaion attended unit Christmas Dinner
26 Jan 1942 - Pvt. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 completes first training jump with Class #9
07 Feb 1942 - Pvt. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 graduates Class #9 from The Parachute School
07 Feb 1942 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 C Company, 504th Parachute Battalion North Adams, Mich listed in unit album
24 Feb 1942 - 504th Parachute Battalion is redesignated 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
29 Mar 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR moves from Fort Benning, GA to Fort Bragg, SC
01 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR moves from Fort Bragg, SC to Fort Dix, NJ
03 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR moves from Fort Dix, NJ to Cunard Line Docks to board the Queen Elizabeth
04 Jun 1942 - Departed US for European Theater of Operations (ETO) on board the Queen Elizabeth
10 Jun 1942 - Arrived in ETO - Glasgow, Scotland. Is transported ashore by ferry in the river Clyde
10 Jun 1942 - 1550 hrs - Arrived at the rail station
10 Jun 1942 - 1750 hrs - Train departs south bound
10 Jun 1942 - 2100 hrs - Train pulls into Edinburgh for a two hour layover
11 Jun 1942 - 1430 hrs - Train arrives at Hungerford, Berkshire and the battalion is greeted by British Major General F.A.M. Browning then were trucked the two miles to Chilton Foliat
16 Jun 1942 - Major General F.A.M. Browning visits the battalion and addresses them
04 Jul 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR celebrated Independence Day by conducting a 23 mile march
20 Jul 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR received orders to move out to the Combat Training Area at Mortehoe
21 Jul 1942 - 0530 hrs - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR departed by train for Tauton
21 Jul 1942 - 0930 hrs - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR off loaded from the train and met Lt Col. Raff who proceeded to lead them on a march to Mortehoe (45 miles)
21 Jul 1942 - 2230 hrs - Raff stopped the battalion to allow them to rest for the night after marching 35 miles
22 Jul 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR marched the rest of the way to Mortehoe
30 Jul 1942 - 2-503rd PIR completes training by going through the British Assault Course at Woolacombe with its live machine fire over the barbed wire and exploding pits it scared the hell out of the Soldiers but gave them an experience that was the closest thing to real combat. That afternoon they went through the British Confidence Course. With training complete, Captain Doris Simpson of the A.T.S. arranged a well-deserved party for the Americans.
05 Aug 1942 - Returned to Chilton Foliat this time on trucks and were warmly welcomed by the locals.
17-30 Aug 1942 - Day and night jumps were conducted in preparation for future mass tactical field training exercises with the British.
01 Sep 1942 - Al Jolson USO Show
00 Oct 1942 - First Lady Elenor Roosevelt visits the 2nd Battalion 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment at Chilton Foliat
02 Nov 1942 - 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment while in England per AG 320.2 (11-3 42)
08 Nov 1942 - T4 Donald L. Sutton 36159286 F Co, 2nd Bn, 509th PIR, North Adams, Mich Participated in Operation TORCH (VILLAIN) the Airborne Invasion of North Africa on Plane 5 Seat 4 Combat Weight 242 lbs
C-47 41-7806
Formation #34
D FLIGHT Plane 5
F CO CHALK 5
Piloted by Capt. Stracener of the 6th Squadron as formation #34 arrived in North Africa over Spanish Morocco and ran out of fuel and landed. After refueling the aircraft was allowed to depart and headed for Oran, but the paratroopers onboard were interned by the Spanish Moroccan authorities.
AIRCREW
PC: Capt. Stracener
CP: Lt. L. N. Pinkston
N: Lt. V. R. Pettigrew
R:
CE:
PARATROOPERS
1. 2nd Lt. Fred E. Perry O-395326 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Dayton OH 242
2. Pvt. Michael Sembrat 32135740 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Syracuse NY 243
3. Pvt. Lester L. Moore 35209893 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR New Martinsville WV 269
4. T4 Donald L. Sutton 36159286 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR North Adams Mich 242
5. Pfc. Harold H. Murren 37007994 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR St. Joseph MO 261
6. Pvt. Bert E. Dockins 34094078 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Fair Play SC 273
7. Sgt. Frank Pflugler 33077758 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Northhampton PA 221
8. Pvt. William D. Cross 34104803 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Birmingham AL 252
9. Pvt. Charles E. Parten 34107213 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Selma AL 250
10. Pvt. James M. Broadway 34142993 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Pope TN 272
11. Pvt. William I. Eckroth 6945098 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Harrisburg PA 239
12. Pvt. Carmine J. Manente 31048564 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Hartford CT 229
13. Sgt. Harold C. (O.) Graff 34078495 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR New Orleans LA 240
14. ? George Olesh Jr. 33111596 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Allentown PA 265
Total Weight: 3499
Equipment Bundle Weight: 250
Special Equipment: 271
Total Tactical Weight: 4020
Capt Stracener’s account
Prior to November 7th the 60th Troop Carrier Group made preparation for Troop Carrier flight to North Africa. These preparations affecting me were special equipment for my plane 41-7806 and briefing before flight. The necessary installation kept me busy most of the day and night on November 6th, and along with the briefing, gave me little time for necessary rest. I consider for a flight of this nature that the briefing was far inadequate. There was not the necessary proving of our homing equipment, which later failed to work, but also the lack of information even to correct altitude for flying.
I left Aldermaston in the afternoon of November 7th and flew with the rest of my flight to Predannack, England where we prepared to leave early that evening for an invasion of the “War Plan”. The four ships of my flight were serviced and loaded. At 17:30hrs of the 7th we taxied out to take off. We were then notified that this plan was not to be used and by that we would leave at 22:30hrs that evening using the “Peace Plan”. Following this I had supper and tried to get what rest I could before take-off time.
At 22:30hrs we were off. Partly because we as a group had little experience in night formation, but also because our night formation lights, I believe, were not quite good enough, and because of unfavorable weather such as cloud and poor visibility, we were scattered. Later some of us fell in on one another’s wing and continued the flight.
I was at 10,000ft just even with the north coast of Spain. Because I was uncertain of the weather and information given us I began checking with my Navigator Lt V R Pettigrew. We found that it would be necessary to fly at 12,000ft to clear all the obstacles instead of the original 10,000ft given us. As we climbed to 12,000ft I asked Lt L N Pinkston, co-pilot and second in command to fix our oxygen masks and turn on the oxygen. As he began this job, he found that our oxygen supply was gone, possibly a partially filled cylinder or a leaky valve, I do not know. I had to remain at my present altitude for safety measure, but a few hours later we began to suffer from lack of oxygen. We found that we became extremely sleepy and groggy. I did what I could to help this by dampening cloths and sponging our faces. Outside of this and breathing as deeply as I could there was little else I could do.
At approximately 06:30hrs of November 8th 1942, we crossed the north coast of Africa, over Melilla, Spanish Morocco. While I flew around trying to locate myself, (because at this hour it was not daylight), I could hear other ships talking to one another. I tried to take a homing bearing on my Squadron Commander, but was not successful. Later after I had located myself I flew inland about twenty miles to continue my flight to Tafaraoui near Oran.
Just south of Mellila I ran across Capt Worley a member of the 60th Troop Carrier Group. He seemed not sure of his position and because he was almost out of gas, he told me he was going to land. He landed near Sarazit south of Mellila. I landed by his ship to help if I could. We discussed the possibilities of dividing my gasoline or taking the whole of his load of parachute troopers. None of these seemed quite favorable so I left him promising to return as soon as I possibly could with gasoline so that they could fly out.
Pvt. Joe Bauer account (He was on Capt. Worleys' aircraft that landed first and was part of the group of paratroopers detained in Spanish Morocco)
“Once on the ground we assembled, half a platoon, as the rest was on other planes. A native came by and we asked him how far it was to Oran. When he answered in Spanish, we knew we were in trouble. The Spanish Foreign Legion came, and we decided to lay down our weapons rather than force an issue with a country that was suppose to have a neutral government. Our stay in Spanish Morocco was not unpleasant. We were free to move about the village of Tauima during the day, as long as we were on good behavior. For a time we were even permitted to walk the three or four miles to the neighboring town of Nador, where there was a movie house showing American films with Spanish dubbed in. The non-coms were afforded a little better treatment. They were housed in the officers quarters. We were billeted in a dormitory. It even had inside plumbing. There were also showers that some of us used until we discovered they were also used by Legionnaires who had contracted syphilis.”
Pfc. Frank Keane account (He was on Capt. Worleys' aircraft that landed first and was part of the group of paratroopers detained in Spanish Morocco)
We found ourselves over barren, rocky terrain with some mountains nearby. The plane being low on fuel, our group decided to jump out and let the plane fend for itself. Once on the ground no one knew where. The plane did land safely, close to one of the mountains. A short distance away from us a camel caravan was passing, and some of us tried to talk with the people. We found out that our plane, ‘The Overloaded Oval’ had dropped us then landed itself in Spanish Morocco. In about an hour, Spanish Soldiers came out and placed us under arrest. The Spaniards brought us to their garrison, near the city of Nador. There we were placed under house arrest. About a week and a half later, we were told that we were free to do as we wished, to roam about their compound, visit the villages nearby.”
01 Mar 1943 - Repatriated to US control by Spanish Moroccan authorities
11 Mar 1943 - 2nd Bn 509th PIR departs Boufarik for Kairouan
00 Apr 1943 - Small Pox and Tetanus Immunization
06 Jun 1943 - Award of British Airborne Red Beret to 509th PIR
06 Aug 1943 - Instructions to POWs and Internees
05 Sep 1943 - 2nd Bn 509th PIR moved from Kairouan, North Africa to Sicily by air.
14-15 Sep 1943 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 2nd Bn, 509th PIR 14 listed as assigned to Rear Detachment in Sicily
09 Nov 1943 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 3159286, 2nd Bn, 509th PIR participates in combat operations vicinity of Venafro, Italy
10 Dec 1943 - 2nd Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment redesignated 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, Venefro, Italy. Unit will continue to be organized under T/O 7-35 (2-17 42)
14 Dec 1943 - 2nd Bn 509th PIR is withdrawn from Venafro, Italy and returns to Naples, Italy for R&R
22 Jan 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 2nd Bn, 509th PIR participates in Operation SHINGLE the amphibious invasion on Anzio, Italy
06 Feb 1944 - Award of French 3rd Zouaves Regiment to 509th PIR
01 Apr 1944 - 2nd Bn 509th PIR is withdrawn from Anzio, Italy and returns to Naples, Italy for R&R
00 Apr 1944 - MED: Donald L Sutton Hospital Admission Date: Apr 1944, Hospital Discharge Date: 1944, Diagnosis: Furunculosis, Type of Discharge: Return to Duty, Length of Service: No entry made, Service Number: 36159286
20 Apr 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 2nd Bn 509th PIR GO#8 Award of Combat Infantrymen Badge
01 May 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286, HQ 509th PIB (Special Orders Number 31) EXTRACT 1. PAC 1st Ind Fifth Army, 28 Apr 1944 file AG 220.33-AP fol named EM. are trfd in gd to ABTC APO 512. WP W/d to 6th Pers Cntr for Transp. T by M/V and or surface trans AUTH. By order of Lt Col. Yarborough: L. P. WESS 1st Lt. Infantry, Asst. Adjutant
01 May 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 assigned to ABTC - Airborne Training Center
00 May 1944 - MED: Donald L Sutton Hospital Admission Date: May 1944, Hospital Discharge Date: 1944, Diagnosis: Furunculosis, Type of Discharge: Return to Duty, Length of Service: No entry made, Service Number: 36159286
05 Jun 1944 - Distinguished Unit Citations awarded to 509th PIR
12 Aug 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 memo designating awards
00 Aug 1944 - MED: Donald L Sutton Hospital Admission Date: Aug 1944, Hospital Discharge Date: 1944, Diagnosis: Neuralgia, other, Type of Discharge: Return to Duty, Length of Service: No entry made, Service Number: 36159286
23 Aug 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 travel orders
11 Sep 1944 - Departs ETO for US
26 Sep 1944 - Arrives US
28 Sep 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 Internment Disclosure Statement
00 Oct 1944 - Typhoid Shot
02 Oct 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 Army Service Forces, Heaquarters, Personnel Center Sixth Service Command, Fort Sheridan, Illinois, Special Order Number 240 dated 02 October 1944, following EM-ASF, having rptd at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., as directed, are reld fr atchmt to Reception Station #7, 1632nd SU--(Eff date of Change for - 6 Oct 1944) and P ALBION HOTEL, MIAMI, FLA o/a 2 Oct 44, rptg upon arr there at to the CG ASF AND AGF REDISTRIBUTION STAT, for processing and reasgmt. A delay enroute of the number of days designated in the "DAYS DLY" Column is auth and EM will report to the CG not later than the date designated in the "RPTG DATE" Column. AGF - Rot 328, AB, No. Adams Mich DAYS DLY - 23 RPTG DATE - 27 Oct 44 By order of Colonel CUSHMAN signed FRED E. ROBERTS, Capt., Inf., Asst Adjutant.
02 Oct 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 Travel Delay
04 Oct 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton departs Ft. Sheridan, IL on leave
27 Oct 1944 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton reports back from leave to Ft. Sheridan, IL
Pfc. Donald L. Sutton transferred to and assigned to the First Academic Company, The Parachute School, Fort Benning, Ga
01 Jul 1945 - Pfc. Donald L. Sutton 36159286 Seperation Qualification Record
18 Jul 1948 - Don Sutton, Hillsdale, MI On Reunion LIST B and C
Married Joan Ann Smith
Don Sutton earns his private pilots license
Don Sutton serves in the Civil Air Patrol
Has a daughter
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