Donald G Cary

After training in Ireland the 8th Infantry Division landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, 4 July 1944, and entered combat on the 7th. Fighting through the hedgerows, it crossed the Ay River, 26 July, pushed through Rennes, 8 August, and attacked Brest in September. The Crozon Peninsula was cleared, 19 September, and the Division drove across France to Luxembourg, moved to the Hurtgen Forest, 20 November, cleared Hurtgen on the 28th and Brandenburg, 3 December, and pushed on to the Roer. That river was crossed on 23 February 1945, Duren taken on the 25th and the Erft Canal crossed on the 28th. The 8th reached the Rhine near Rodenkirchen, 7 March, and maintained positions along the river near Koln. On 6 April the Division attacked northwest to aid in the destruction of enemy forces in the Ruhr Pocket, and by the 17th had completed its mission. After security duty, the Division, under operational control of the British Second Army, drove across the Elbe, 1 May, and penetrated to Schwerin when the war in Europe ended.

In the Spring the 8th broke out onto the fields of Germany taking part in the Central Europe Campaign moving up to, and crossing the Rhine River in March. Here the 8th swung around to the south of the Ruhr Pocket helping surround and capturing an estimated 350,00 German troops in the area [7]. At the start of May it crossed the Elbe River and liberated the Wobbelin sub-concentration camp, which was part of the main Neuengamme Concentration Camp. This subcamp held an estimated 5,000 prisoners and had been established in February 1945 to house those evacuated from other camps about to be over-run. [8] At war's end it assumed occupation duties in the area around Schwerin, Germany before retruning back to the States.

Donald G. Cary was wounded in combat on 11 July 1944 in France. He received the Purple Heart.  A copy of The General Order, or verification, is included in the gallery on this page. He actually received two Purple Hearts, however, the verification was lost during the years by him, and his records were all lost in the fire at the Records Building in 1979. He was awarded a Bronze Star on 12 Sept 1945 for "heroic achievement on 07 March 1945 in Serth, Germany. Sadly, He did not receive the actual medals until 1992, shortly before his death. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the DAV representative at the VA Hospital in Salem, VA, who tirelessly pursued the difficult task of having the medals sent to my Dad. He also was instrumental in having the small service connected disability benefit Dad had been receiving since his service ended in 1946, increased.

Dad  (Donald George Cary)is listed on the Wall of Honor at: www.thepurpleheart.com

Donald G Grummons was turned over to the NY Department of Welfare with some of his siblings by his birth mother, said she could not take of all the kids she had. Donald was adopted by Mr & Mrs Ira Cary of Slaterville Springs NY, was then known as Donald G Cary. I am Leonard M Cary Sr. son Of Donald G Cary. I met his birth mother when I was 15 years old, she was living with one of my dads sisters in Bingamton NY. We did not stay long and while we were there his Birth mother never acknowledged or spoke to either one of us. So apparently she did not care so I was born with the last name of CARY and claim no part of Grummons. Also none of his military records show Grummons on them.

My dad did reconnect with all but one of his siblings of which I also got to know and they were good people for yanks. Oh our mother was from Roanoke Va, I was born and raised in Roanoke so I consider myself Southern with a bit of northern blood.

There is a marker in the area of Slaterville Springs Ny with the names of all from that area that served in WWII with my dads name Donald George Cary, I have visted this place as a teen.

True it is that my dad was adopted by Ira Martin and Carrie Jane Hovey Cary at age 8. They had had him as a foster child from age 2. I listed Harry Truman Grummons and Jennie Foster Grummons as his BIRTH parents, for historical value. I created this Memorial as a factual resource so that Daddy's service would not be forgotten. It is not about the name, it is about the man.  This page is for Donald George Cary, my Dad, and my Hero, in appreciation of his service to this country.

Donna Cary Gibson