Donald Lawrence Kauffman was originally from Loyal, born May 24, 1922, the son of Vernard and Elva (Shupe) Kauffman. When asked about his career, he always stated he was a "Military Man". After graduation from Loyal High School in 1940, he entered into military service with the U. S. Army and was assigned to the 9th Armored Division, Combat Command B. He entered the European Theater of Operations shortly after D-Day in 1944 and was closely involved in combat operations that included the Battle of the Bulge and as a member of the first unit to cross the Rhine River into Germany. For these actions he received the Presidential Unit Citation. He remained in the U. S. Army of Occupation and was discharged from the service in 1946. He attended Whitewater State Teachers College (UW-Whitewater) for a few years and then returned to served in the U. S. Navy in 1952
