| PFC Donald Lee Nickel is buried in Epinal American Cemetery in France. He died Sept. 12, 1944.
Obituary from Kenosha Evening News, September, 1944:
Donald Nickel, Invasion Veteran Killed in Action
A veteran of the Italian invasion and the French action on D-Day, and back to Italy for more combat experience, Pfc. Donald L. Nickel, 21-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nickel, was killed in action in France on Sept. 12, the war department notified his parents. Their only child, the news of his death came as a distinct shock to both parents as well as to a wide circle of friends in the community.
The last letter written by the soldier arrived at home here five days after the government telegram. He was back in Italy awaiting orders to move into action in France, he said. He saw misery all about him as the Yanks advanced against the enemy, but he commented on the cheer of the liberated peoples and the manner in which they received the invading troops.
Nickel volunteered for the service Feb. 2, 1943, and has been overseas for 13 months. He trained at Fort Sheridan and was sent to the same camp in Alabama where his father trained with the World War I army in 1917. Nickel earned his expert marksmanship medals there, a prelude to the award of the combat infantryman's badge he received in France.
Since being shipped overseas in August, 1943, he went through the North African campaign, thence into Italy where he was hospitalized last October. He was in action at Anzio and went back to the hospital for two months. He was with the invasion troops on D-Day in France, from where he sent some souvenirs home.
Born in Kenosha Nov. 13, 1922, he graduated from the senior high school here in 1941, and was employed at Nash Motors when he entered the service. His last furlough home was in June, 1943.
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