OneMansCourage

'One Man's Courage' traces the extraordinary life story of
decorated World War II Veteran and former Prisoner of War,
Donald W. Schuman. Donald's humble origins begin in the vast
farmlands of Kimball, South Dakota where we are introduced to this
hardworking young man who, in addition to working the land,
participates in FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great
Depression.

Donald's journey continues when he is inducted into the Army's 11th
Armored Division at Camp Polk, Louisiana. It is here where Donald
meets his future wife, Muriel, a member of the Women's Auxiliary
Corps (WAC). Not long after, Donald is summoned to Texas as a
member of the 778th Tank Battalion, Company B where
he was in charge of tank maintenance.

Donald, like most men of his day, became immersed in the conflict
overseas when his Battalion was sent to the European Theatre where
they took part in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach. Donald was
privileged to have General George S. Patton ride in his tank as they
forcibly crossed over the Moselle River into Metz under heavy enemy
shelling, with the men of Company B playing a major role in the
capturing of the Fortress City.

Captured by German forces on November 30, 1944, Donald endured
four months of hell, which included two failed escapes. His P.O.W.
camp was liberated by the 4th Armored Division on March 18, 1945.

During his time in Germany, his family received a Western Union
telegram stating that Donald was killed in action. Although the War
Department could not verify how Donald had died, the Schumans
grieved their son's loss, publishing an obituary and purchasing a
headstone. A day before their son's funeral Mass, Donald's
mother, Minnie, received a telegram from Washington stating that his
K.I.A. status had been incorrect and that Donald was - in his words -
"All well and safe."

Donald and Muriel married in England, returning home afterward to
both a surprised and relieved family. Once back in the States, Donald
and Muriel eventually settled down in Miami, Florida with their five
children. Donald and Muriel's marriage turned out to be
tumultuous and destructive, ending tragically in divorce and alleged
death of a father.

Nearly forty years passed before my research accidentally uncovered
this extraordinary story and brought about a soul-healing reunion
between a father and his son.
Copyright Kathleen Belfiore Schuman