Donald Stalmach

DONALD DANIEL STALMACH

GM2

Donald was born March 10, 1921 at Thrall Texas. He was the son of C.J.

and Clara Hejl Stalmach of Taylor, Texas. Donald had two brothers, B.C.

and Charles, and three sisters, Vivian, Bernice and Dauris. He attended

Taylor schools. His friends knew Donald by the nickname of Miek.

In June of 1942, Donald and his friends Milton Mucha, Calvin Kalenda and

Adolph Jarolik went to Austin, Texas and enlisted in the United States

Navy. The four friends were sent to San Diego, California for boot camp.

Three went on to Bremerton, Washington. There, Donald, Milton and

Adolph were assigned to the U.S.S. Nassau CVE-16. Later Donald was on

the light carrier U.S.S. Santa Fe. While docked in San Francisco Donald

met up with his friend from Taylor Marvin Cuba and went to visit Donald's

brother B.C. and wife Leona Stalmach in Folsom, California. B.C. was in

the U.S. Air Force stationed at Mather Field, Sacramento, California.

Donald served in the Pacific and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon

with 8 battle stars and Good Conduct medal. He was discharged from

service in 1945.

Donald was working at the ship docks in Texas City, Texas at the time of the ship explosion, the historic Texas City Disaster. Donald died that day April 16, 1947 in Texas City, Texas. After his body was recovered from the Gulf of Mexico he was buried in Taylor, Texas, Taylor City Cemetery on April 26,1947.