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The Sergeant John W. Gabersek Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Private First Class Donald Paul Lynch
1318^th Service Command Unit - Heavy Truck Driver

Husband to my Grandmother’s sister Lois Kretzer, Uncle Don fought as well in the Pacific, including Guadalcanal and Okinawa and was in the Army before the war began.  A heavy truck and equipment operator for the 1318^th Service Command Unit, he was charged with transporting medical supplies, food, and ammunition.  After the war, he continued driving a truck for the City of McKeesport PA.  He and Aunt Lois were always at family functions, birthdays and the like.  Never having any children, he and Aunt Lois were always having the family for dinner and picnics.  Uncle Don loved guns and even loaded his own ammunition in his spare bedroom.  Uncle Don died in 1991 and was joined in death by Aunt Lois in 2002.

Biography

Hometown – McKeesport, PA

4 Months Private - Basic Training Infantry 521

48 Months Private First Class - Truck Driver, Heavy 931

Convalescent Hospital 1318th Service Command Unit

American Defense Medal

Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal

WWII Victory Medal

Inducted 1st May 1941

Departed the US - 1st September 1942 - Arrived Theater 22nd September 1942

Guadalcanal

Departed Theater ? - 11th February 1944

Discharged 19th October 1945 Camp Pickett Virginia

4 years, 5 months, and 14 days in the service of his country.

Taken verbatim from Don's discharge papers spelled out as it was.  Truck Driver, Heavy - Was driver of a heavy truck in amfhibian turck company.  Transported personnel,  supplies, equipment, ammunition, clothing, and food rations.  Also made minor repairs to truck when necessary."