Memorial Day - Honoring & Remembering

 “May we never forget our fallen comrades. Freedom isn’t free.” –Sgt. Maj. Bill Paxton

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed in May of 1868 to honor the soldiers who died in the American Civil War. On the first Decoration Day 5,000 people gathered to decorate the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Today we know Decoration Day as Memorial Day. In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a National Holiday. As you enjoy your time with family and friends - please take a moment to honor the members of our family who died in service to our country:

American Civil War

Private Andrew Haggerty served in the Civil War. He died at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. At this time we are unsure if Private Andrew Haggerty is the son of Robert Haggerty and Rebecca Easly or is from a different Haggerty Family. To learn more about Andrew Haggerty view Private Andrew J. Haggerty - Civil War, Pennsylvania Infantry, 148th Regiment, Company I.

John Loll, my 4h great uncle, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France on 08 Oct 1843. He is the son of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann Jehl, my 4th great grandparents. He arrived in the United States on 07 Oct 1852 at the Port of New York when he was 9 years old with his family. At the age of 18 he would serve in the Union Army. In February of 1862 he would be wounded in battle and would die as a casualty of war on June 10, 1862 in a hospital in Washington, D.C.

Private John McDonald, my 4th great uncle and brother of James McDonald, also served in the civil war. He enlisted as a private on February 25, 1864 at approximately age 28 with Company F, 63rd Regiment.  He was transferred to Company H, the 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He died October 16, 1864 in Beverly, New Jersey. He is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. His grave marker references Company H, 105 PA. Inf. To view his  his grave marker visit this link. To learn more about John McDonald view The Mystery of Pvt John McDonald - Civil War Solider.

World War II

Second Lieutenant Raymond Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born in 1922 the son of Francis G. Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, and Elizabeth Hartle. On February 20, 1943, at age 21, Raymond enlisted with the Air Corps in Miami Beach, Florida. Raymond was trained as a B-29 pilot and assigned to the 43rd Bomber Squadron and the 29th Bomber Group designated 'Very Heavy'. On April 14, 1945 Raymond's plane was lost and the crew perished on a Mission to Tokyo. Raymond was recorded as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. Raymond was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. He is also honored in the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. To learn more about Raymond Loll view Raymond C. Loll - B29 Bomber Pilot.

Private First Class Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr., my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. Ambrose Aloysius was also the brother of Virginia McDonald Geary and is a double cousin to me as we are related by the McDonald and O'Neill lines. Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. He now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Staff Sergeant Christopher D. O'Neill, my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in 1919. He was the son of Owen James O'Neill and Nellie Boyles. Christopher was was a member of the 579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as s a Right Waist Gunner/Assistant Engineer on the B-24 aircraft. He died on November 6, 1943 in a German Hospital in Middelburg, the Netherland after suffering injuries from jumping out his aircraft the day before. He was buried in the Ardennes American War Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. To view his  his grave marker visit this link.

References:

1. Memorial Day - http://www.usmemorialday.org/&nbsp

1940's - Helen Gertrude McDonald & Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.

A snapshot of Helen Gertrude McDonald with her only brother Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.  They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald and Gertrude Anna O'Neill.

The photograph may have been taken in 1943 as Ambrose is wearing his United States Marine Corps uniform. After the outbreak of WWII Ambrose enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. When photographed Helen was probably about 27 years old and Ambrose was around 23 years old.  Ambrose deployed in 1943 and was killed in action shortly after his 24th birthday at the Battle of Tarawa. This is likely one of the last photographs taken of Ambrose. To learn more  about Ambrose visit this link.

McDonald Siblings
Helen Gertrude McDonald & Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr.

This photograph is shared with permission. The original photograph is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a niece of Helen and Ambrose. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

Helen Gertrude McDonald and Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with siblings is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Winifred Agnes O'Neill is my 2nd Great Grandmother  Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

Happy 241st Birthday U.S. Marine Corps!

November 10, 2016 marks the 241st Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Per U.S. Marine Corps General Robert B. Neller:

"Each year on or around 10 November, Marines gather in groups large and small to celebrate our history, honor the memory of those who have gone before us, and rekindle the bond that unites all generations of Marines. This year, we mark the 241st anniversary of our Corps—241 years of uncommon valor, innovation, and combat excellence."

As we honor the memory of Marines we also honor the memory of two family members.

Robert Aloysius Haggerty was born July 24, 1927 the son of  Charles Alfonso Hagerty and Iva. He served as a staff sergeant (SSgt) in the US Marine Corps in WWI. Robert died on March 10, 1979 and is buried at the Houston National Cemetery.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, and Gertrude Anna O'Neill. After the outbreak of WWII Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa. His commanding officer Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C. of F. Company, 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment wrote a heartfelt letter to Caroline Loretta O'Neil - Ambrose's aunt.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Copies of these photographs were shared with me by Virginia McDonald the sister of Ambrose McDonald. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Robert Aloysius Hagerty is my 2nd cousin, 3x removed. His father Charles Alfonso Hagerty is my 1st cousin 4x removed. 

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald Jr. and Virginia Dorothy McDonald are my1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill my second great aunt. A double marriage took place between the McDonald and O'Neill families. Caroline Loretta O'Neill is my 2nd great aunt. 

A Letter from Tarawa

To make sure we never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us read the letter written from Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C. of F. Company, 2^nd Battalion 8^th Marine Regiment to Caroline Loretta O'Neill the Aunt of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. describing the death of Ambrose on November 20, 1943 on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa.  It is unknown how the letter made it to Caroline, the letter ended up with Ambrose's sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Throughout her life Virginia made certain that Ambrose was never forgotten and that her children, with exception to her oldest, knew about the Uncle they never had the opportunity to meet.

Tuesday, February 1^st, 1944

Dear Miss. O’Neill:

Although I have already written to Ambrose’s mother concerning his death, I feel I should write again and give you further information about him. It is hard for me to write about such things, because he was such a fine boy, and so much liked by everyone. I do, however, want to tell you how he died, because you should know that.

As you know, we landed on Tarawa on Nov. 20^th, and we were in the assault, that is, we were the first to hit the beach. Ambrose got in alright and did excellent work. I saw him about ten o’clock in the morning and he was fine, getting along swell. In the afternoon, I learned he has been hit and died instantly. It was just around noon when he was hit by a Jap bullet and died instantly, no suffering, no pain, he really didn’t know what hit him. He was buried on Tarawa, and Father Laughlin, our chaplain, said the prayers for the dead.

About a week before we landed, a priest came aboard and we all went to confession, mass and communion.  Ambrose was there too, and he received with the rest of us. Just before we landed, general absolution was given, so rest assured that Ambrose is now happy in heaven. That is one consolation that you all have, I’m positive he died in the state of grace.

You know how sorry I am for you and nothing I can say will lessen your grief. His death is a great loss. And may his soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C.

F. Company, 2^nd Batn. 8^th Marines

F. P.O. San Francisco, Cal.

Note - While this letter is for Caroline Loretta O'Neill, one of Virginia's Aunt's whom she lived with before getting married on 15 Jul 1938. She also lived with Eleanor Monica O'Neill , both are my 2nd great grand aunts, also known affectionately as "Aunt Nora" and  "Aunt Carrie". It is uncertain how the mixup of the name happened.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. 

Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary

From the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. My relationship with Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Caroline Loretta O'Neill and Eleanor Monica O'Neill are my 2nd great aunts.

References:

1. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-tarawa