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.