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General Donovan enlisted as a private
in Company H 179th Infantry 45th Division on April 13, 1940. He participated in
the landing in Sicily, Naples, Salerno beachhead, and Anzio beachhead in Italy.
During this campaign he received a battlefield commission and promotion to platoon
sergeant. He was awarded the grade of second lieutenant following his capture
of nine Germans who were just 300 yards from his position. While serving as a
battalion reconnaissance officer near Maximeau, France, he was severely wounded.
He continued on his mission without medical aid until his capture by the German
Army. He remained a prisoner of war for 183 days until he was able to escape.
He was able to work his way to Tourn, Poland, where he was hidden by a Polish
family for 60 days until he could rejoin the U.S. forces. He was awarded the Bronze
Star for outstanding leadership and bravery. He returned to the United States
in April of 1945 where he received treatment and rehabilitation.
In October 1945, he was released from active duty and assigned to Officer Reserve
Corp as Executive officer, Company H 179th Regiment, 45th Infantry, and was promoted
to first lieutenant. In 1949, he was reassigned as commanding officer of this
unit and continued to serve in that capacity until August of 1950. He was released
from active duty in 1952 and returned to the Oklahoma National Guard, assigned
as detachment commander, in Ardmore, Okla. He was promoted to major in 1954.
He was assigned as executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Section, 45th
Division and promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1966, he was promoted to full
colonel and, in 1971, was promoted to brigadier general. He retired as task force
commander for the Oklahoma Military Department in 1973. He served a total of 33
years, 7 months, and 16 days in the military, and a total of 2 years, 7 months
and 16 days in combat during World War II and the Korean War.
General Donovan
was a graduate of various military schools including The War College, Command
and General Staff College and the Advanced Infantry School. He was inducted into
the Military Memorial Museum Hall of Fame on Oct. 30, 1995.
Decorations
and awards by earned by Gen. Donovan were: Combat Infantry Badge, First Award,
Purple Heart, Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, European-African Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, Army of Occupation
of Japan Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Second Award, Army
Commendation Ribbon, United States Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Legion
of Merit, Select Reserve Force Medal and Prisoner of War Medal.
Following
his retirement from the military, he organized the Hu-Don Manufacturing Company
where he was co-owner and chairman of the board until his retirement in 1985.
He was also a charter member and president of the Carter County Veterans Council.
He also served as chairman and founder of the Military Memorial Museum in 1989.
He was a charter member of the Southern Oklahoma Retired Officers Association.
He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign
Wars, American Legion, Purple Heart Chapter, Prisoner of War and 45th Division
Association and National Order of Battlefield Commissions. He was a member of
First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of the home;
two daughters, Donna Landrith, Oklahoma City, and Dianna Lynn Riley, Ardmore;
a stepdaughter, Tracy Oxford Drennan, Davis; two stepsons, Mike Oxford, and Brent
Oxford, a sister, Virginia Volino Brooks, and a niece, Jo Ann Harper, all of Ardmore;
nine grandchildren, Angela Donovan, Tommy Jon Riley, Will Tyler Riley, Amy Faith
Riley McHatton, Allyson Elizabeth Landrith Carson, Matthew Donovan Landrith, Meridith
Drennan, Scott Drennan and Brent Oxford Jr.; six great-grandchildren, Travis and
Matthew Marin, Mattie Lynn and Molly Grace Riley, Dalton Ace McHatton and Blaine
Landrith Carson. He was preceded in death by two sons, Capt. George Ronald Donovan
in 1978, and Huston Bradley Donovan in 1978; and a grandson, Sean D. Donovan in
1988.
Bearers will be William E. Mitchell, David Capps, Jim Patton,
Harry Barnes, Jerry Flanagan and Roy Worley. Honorary bearers will be fellow veterans
and Military Museum members.
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