Fox Company
On This Day 100 Years Ago: PFC Donald James McAskin’s birthday
Nov
Donald (“Don”) James McAskin was born on November 17, 1922, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Exactly 100 years ago to this day. Don’s father, Roger, was 33 when Don was born and Don’s mother, Mary, was 30. Don enlisted in the military on October 15, 1940, just after starting his third year of high school. Prior to enlisting, Don held jobs at local filling stations and other local businesses.
Featured image: Wedding picture of F/502 Screaming Eagle Donald McAskin with his lovely wife Patricia Mary Casey (Courtesy of his grandson Marcus McAskin).
Normandy
PFC Donald McAskin jumped with his Fox Company buddies into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day on June 6, 1944. Several of the F/502 paratroopers who had trained so hard for years would never return to action again after their first combat jump. PFC Donald McAskin was among these men. Shortly after his jump on French territory amidst his enemy, McAskin was severely wounded by a German gunshot. Because of the severity of a bullet wound in his left leg, he would be brought to one of the Normandy beaches and put on an LST back to England where he received additional surgery. Later, in September 1944, PFC McAskin was transferred from the 15th General Hospital at Oteley Deer Park, Shropshire, England, to the States. His treatment would be resumed at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, back home.
Post-war life
Donald McAskin married Patricia Mary Casey on Saturday, December 2, 1944. They both had a Canadian background(with Don having been born in Edmonton, Alberta, and Patricia having been born and raised in Windsor, Ontario). Patricia’sfamily was deeply rooted in the Muskoka, Ontario region (north of Toronto), a family tie that dated back to 1879.
Donald and Patricia’s marriage was solemnized at the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church, Windsor, Ontario. The reverend A. J. Rooney officiated at the ceremony. After the reception, the happy couple left for a small honeymoon trip to North Dakota, as Donald had to return to his military hospital in Cleveland to carry on with his therapy.
