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Contact Info
Home Town Loyal, Wis.
Last Address Grace Edgewood Assisted Living Facility in Altoona, Wis.
CTRC Donald L. Kauffman, USN (Ret.) U.S. Army 1942-1946, U.S. Navy 1952-1970
Donald Lawrence Kauffman was originally from Loyal, Wisconsin. 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.
Don attended Whitewater State Teachers College (UW-Whitewater) for a few years and then returned to served in the U. S. Navy in 1952.
Don performed his initial Navy service in the pacific, serving on Johnston Island; Guam; Kwajalein; Atsugi, Japan and Yokosuka, Japan. He then served aboard the USS Henderson, USS Perkins, USS Braine, USS Mullany, USS William Seiverling, USS Hanson and NCU-38 (Navy Cyber Unit).
After attending further cryptologic technician schools at NSA Washington, D.C., and Pensacola, FL, he went on to serve with the Naval Security Group Activities at Karamursel, Turkey; Bremerhaven, Germany; Zweibrucken, Germany; Edzell, Scotland; Key West, FL; Midway Island; Kami Seya, Japan; Sasebo, Japan and NSGA Northwest, VA. In 1970, after 20-plus years of military service, he retired from the U. S. Navy as a CTRC (Cryptologic Technician Radio Chief).
Military citations and awards included: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medals, China Service Medal, WWII American Campaign Medal, and the WWII European Theater Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medals, Korean War Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.
Other Comments:
Donald L. Kauffman was a life long member of the Loyal United Methodist Church, and a life member of the American Legion Post 175 of Loyal, WI and the Masonic Lodge F&AM #317 of Owen, WI.
