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Stories behind the stars: Corporal Donald F. Croake
Donald-Croake-photo
Corporal Donald F. Croake Photo from the Wisconsin State Journal, November 16, 1943

Stories Behind The Stars

A series that honors more than 421,000 Americans that lost their lives in World War II. 

Fallen soldiers from Green County will be highlighted in the Monroe Times. 

To learn more about the project, visit storiesbehindthestars.org.

During World War II, Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Mississippi was where the all-Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th battalion trained. Women’s Army Corps units trained at Camp Shelby. A prisoner of war camp for German Afrika Corps soldiers was also a part of the camp.

Allied forces landed at Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria as part of Operation Torch, fighting against German Afrika Corps in North Africa in the fall of 1942. In May of 1943 the Afrika Korps surrendered. German and Italian prisoners of war were brought to the US to Camp Shelby and Camp Hearne in Texas.

By the end of World War II, there were more than 420,000 foreign prisoners of war held in the US in more than 500 camps located in almost every state.

Green County soldier, Donald Croake, served with Battery B of the 720th Field Artillery Battalion stationed at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Donald Francis Croake was born in Monroe on May 16, 1920 to Harry and Cora (Teehan) Croake.

From the 1930 US Census, the Croake family lived in Albany Village in Green County. The household included father Harry, mother Cora, and sons James, Donald, John, and Robert. Father Harry worked as a farmer.

From the 1940 US Census, the intact “Croske” (sic) family lived in the same place they lived in 1935 in Albany in Green County. Father Harry was a time keeper with the WPA, and son Donald was Truck Driver with the Lime Rock industry.

On July 1, 1941, Donald Francis Croake, registered for the WWII draft. He registered in Parcoll County, Illinois. He resided in Albany, Green County, Wisconsin. His employer was (Babe) R. W. Selloun (or Selloren) in Albany. His occupation was Truck Driver.

On August 20, 1942 Donald F. Croake enlisted for service in Milwaukee. He had a grammar school education. He was employed as a “semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck and tractor,” and was single, without dependents.

Donald F. Croake died on Sunday, November 14, 1943 at the base hospital at Camp Shelby, Forrest County, Mississippi.

From the November 15, 1943 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Albany Soldier Dies in Army Hospital,” the article stated “Corp. Donald Croake, 23, became Albany’s first war casualty when he died at the army hospital at Camp Shelby, Miss., Sunday after suffering a concussion of the brain a week ago.

Army officials did not reveal where or how he received the injury.

Corp. Croake had been guarding war prisoners at Enterprise, Ala.

Corp. Croake was a lifelong resident of Albany and attended public schools here. He entered service in August, 1942.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Croake, who recently moved to Beloit, went to his bedside last week. They were bringing the body to Albany for services and burial...”

From the November 17, 1943 The Capital Times article titled “Donald Croake Rites To Be Held at Albany,” the article stated “Funeral services for Corp. Donald Croake … will be held in the Albany Catholic church…

Besides his parents he is survived by three brothers, Staff Sgt. James Croake, Camp McCain, Miss.; Pvt. John Croake, Camp Hood, Miss.; (sic: Texas) and Robert, attending high school at Albany...”

Corporal Donald F. Croake’s death status was DNB — Died Non-battle. He is listed on the Green County, Wisconsin World War II Honor Roll with the National Archives.

Corporal Croake was buried in 1943 in Calvary Cemetery in Magnolia in Rock County, Wisconsin. 

Thank you, Corporal Donald Francis Croake, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.