IN MEMORIAM: Donald Gaughan;
Helped Liberate Dachau In WWII
MORRIS – Donald Gaughan, 91, a World War II combat veteran who helped free the prisoners at Dachau and later worked as a union carpenter in Oneonta before his retirement, passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2016, at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin.
The son of William and Delilah (Joy) Gaughan, he was born on Dec. 31, 1924, in Oneonta.
During WWII, he first landed in Africa and then traveled to Anzio, Italy. He was in the landing of the beachhead of Southern France and then to the Siegfried Line. He then help liberate prisoners in Dachau in Munich. His heroic actions were awarded by a number of medals and the title of staff sergeant.
He was a member and, for many years, commander of Sgt. Elbert N Patten VFW Post 1206 in Oneonta. He was also a member of the American Legion in Morris, where he lived for many years.
He is survived by his loving family; his wife Margaret; two daughters, Susan (Ronald) Rowe, Mary (Robert) Myers and son-in-law James Browning; grandchildren Geri Lee (Kevin) Rodda, Gwendolyn Browning (Butch Faulkner), Donald Rowe, Jesse and Michael Myers; great grandchildren Alexandria, Tim Jr., and Matthew Grow, Justin and Joe Rodda; two sisters Dorothea Knickerbocker and Loretta Steward. Donald was predeceased by his daughter Donna Browning and sister Lorena Bowers.
Calling hours are 1-2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Johnson Funeral Home, Morris, followed by a funeral there at 2. Burial with full military honors will then follow at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.
