T/5 August A. Donner

How this story crossed my path

During the ongoing search for information, photos, and stories about 'Antwerp X', Dieter Dijck and the Dr. Cornil family presented the opportunity to look through the Cornil family photo albums. In these were numerous photos referring to the stay of American soldiers in or near Putte. Soldiers from the anti-aircraft artillery who protected the port of Antwerp from V-bombs during 'Operation Antwerp X'.

For their contribution to our freedom, I would like to take this opportunity to tell their story and give them the recognition they deserve. Family friend to the Cornil-Vercammen family was T/5 August 'Gus' Donner of the 494th AAA Gun Battalion. He gave the Cornil family a photo of himself with the following message written on the back: 'Thank you very much for using your bicycle to go dancing. You have been very kind to me, thank you very much for your friendship, I will never forget it. August Donner, Route #4, Alexandria, Minnesota'. The photo disappeared for years in the Cornil family photo album.

Biography and Wartime Service

August Arthur Donner was born on September 1, 1920, in Belview, Minnesota, to Edith Adelade Griffith and Arthur Hermann Wilhelm Donner. He grew up in Alexandria, Minnesota, where he attended school.

August A. Donner, better known as 'Gus' joined the Minnesota National Guard in February 1941 and was one of many Douglas County boys who ended up serving with the 494th AAA Gun Battalion. As a National Guard man he was one of the original men who joined B Battery when the 494th was formed in Iceland.

After later moves that took the unit through Scotland, England and Normandy they were stationed in Putte, Belgium, a part of operation 'Antwerp X'.
Gus’ battery, B Battery was set up from November 2 until November 15, 1944 in a field near Reetlei in Putte. Since then the site has been completely build up. Their position was very close to the Cornil-Vercammen residence which explains why they would have gotten acquainted with each other.

After the War, on April 21, 1946 Gus Donner married Dorothy Stoeckel in Miltona, Minnesota. August A Donner passed away on December 19, 2009 at an Estelline care center in South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Donner who passed away on December 24, 2006.

Gallery

click on the images to enlarge

Thanks to the Cornil family for sharing these photo from their family albums