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Don Zweifel

WWII Veteran Don Zweifel, 2007

Don Zweifel, 2007

  • Branch of Service: Army
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military Service: Drafted, March 1943-September 1945

Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.

:04 - Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor - was already in the Army at this time
.:40 - Unit's assignment
2:36 - Battle of the Bulge
4:48 - The winter of 1945
5:38 - Reaction of the French civilians
6:35 - Receiving and sending mail
7:38 - Pass times
8:30 - Germany surrenders
9:51 - Returned to the USA 1945
10:05 - Serious moment in the war
11:29 - War changed his life
12:15 - Received three purple hearts and a distinguished service cross
13:50 - Back home and seeing the family

Donald Zweifel Obituary 

This story was recorded at an SDPB event in Scotland, SD. 

Images Provided by Don Zweifel
silver gun on blue background over silver semi-circle of silver leaves

Combat Infantry Badge

Purple and gold heart hanging from purple and gold ribbon

Purple Heart and Case

box top with "purple heart" written on top

side view of German Lugar gun

Zweifel confiscated this Lugar (above) and dress-dagger (right) from a German soldier. He sent the dagger and Lugar back to the rear of the 90th division in a chow truck. Zweifel returned home with five pistols and two daggers. He had ten additional pistols he had confiscated, but he could not bring them home due to a weight limitation.

Gold medal with eagle hanging from red and white striped ribbon

Good Conduct Medal 

German dagger with yellow and brown striped handle with on end of handle swastika and on the scabbard

Gold cross and eagle on red, white, and blue striped ribbon

Distinguished Service Cross and Case

Black box top with "Distinguished Service Cross" written in gold on top

Don Zweifel, WWII Service History

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