The 192nd Tank Battalion was a National Guard Unit formed in Janesville, Wisconsin. During World War II, they became Company A, part of the 32nd Division of the U.S. Army that was sent to the Philippine Islands in November of 1941. They fought on the Bataan Peninsula until US commanding officers surrendered on April 9, 1942. They became prisoners of war and were subjected to the Bataan Death March. Of the original 99 members of the 192nd Tank Battalion, only 35 survived imprisonment by the Japanese. 

Donald Merle Ostenson was born on March 11, 1917 in Hennepin County, Minnesota to Helen Anna Ostenson, a single mother, and Jack Heddleston.

On February 23, 1921 Helen married Louis Julius Sveom in Rockford in Winnebago County, Illinois.

From the 1930 US Census, the “Sevrow” (sic: Sveom) family lived in Avon Township, Rock County, Wisconsin. The family included father “Lewis” (sic: Louis), mother Anna H., son (stepson) Donald M., and daughters Mildred, and Marion. Louis was a dairy farmer on his own account.

This researcher could not find Donald Sveom or Heddleston on the 1940 census. His family remained in Avon Township. At some unknown point he adopted the last name of Heddleston.

On November 25, 1940 Private Donald M. Heddleston enlisted with the Infantry of the National Guard. He lived in Rock County and enlisted in Janesville. He had a grammar school education and was single without dependents. His civil occupation was “semiskilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles.” 

From the January 31, 1942 The Capital Times article titled “Orfordville Soldier Wounded in Philippines,” the article stated “Private Donald Heddleston, member of the Janesville tank company battalion, was severely wounded on Jan. 14, according to word received Thursday by his mother, Mrs. Louis Sevom, who resides south of Orfordville.”

From the March 30, 1942 Wisconsin State Journal article “Heddleston Returns to Bataan Fighting,” the article stated “Pvt. Donald Heddleston, son of Mrs. Louis Sveom, who was reported seriously wounded in the Philippines on Jan. 14, returned to active duty Mar. 11, according to word received by his mother from the war department. Pvt. Heddleston observed his 25th birthday anniversary on the day of his return to active duty.

He is a member of the headquarters company, 192 Tank Battalion, and is one of the 96 southern Wisconsin men fighting in the Bataan peninsula.”

From the December 6, 1946 Janesville Daily Gazette titled’ Memorial Rites at Luther Valley for Two Soldiers,” the article stated “Memorial services will be conducted … Sunday for Pvts. Everett Gilbert and Donald Heddleston who were killed while in military service… 

Pvt. Heddleston entered service in October, 1940, and was reported as being seriously wounded in the Philippines, Jan. 14, 1942. He returned to active duty after recovering from his injuries on his 25th birthday and although he was killed early in the war, it is only recently that his death was confirmed and his burial place announced. Heddleston was a member of the Headquarters company, 192nd tank battalion and one of 96 southern Wisconsin men fighting in the Bataan peninsula. He left with the Janesville unit in October, 1940. He is the son of Mrs. Louis Sveom. Before entering service, he worked as a garage mechanic in Orfordville.”

Technician Fifth Grade Donald M. Heddleston was buried in the Manila American Cemetery at Fort McKinley in Manila, Philippine Islands.

Tech5 Heddleston is listed on the National Archives WWII Honor List for Green County, Wisconsin.

Thank you, Technician 5th Grade Donald Merle Heddleston, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.