Donald L. Fairbanks

2021-03-15T21:02:56-05:00
Army Badge
  • Name: Donald L. Fairbanks
  • Location of Birth: Federal Dam, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: March 9, 1922
  • Date of Death: January 13, 2006 (83 years old)
  • Parents: Everett Fairbanks and Nora (LeClaire) Fairbanks
  • High School and Class: Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: M SGT (Master Sergeant)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In:
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: 1964
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:
    2 Bronze Stars
    Good Conduct Medal with Cluster and V for Valor
    Army Commendation Medal

  • Military Highlights:
    Donald joined the National Guard in Kansas, took paratrooper training and then served in the United States Army 82nd and 101st Airborne. He fought in Sicily, Italy, France and Bastogne. He also served in Korea and stayed in the Army until retiring in 1964.

    During his military career, Donald received two Bronze Stars for heroic action against the enemy and gallantry in action at Anzio, Italy, a good conduct medal with cluster and V for Valor for action against the enemy, a Bronze Star and good conduct medal in Sicily. He also received the Army Commendation Medal.

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II
    Korean Conflict

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Donald attended grade school at Sugar Point in Cass County and high school at Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, Kansas.

    After retirement from the service, Donald did some logging and was instrumental in starting Indian Mission Enterprises.

    He married Alsace in 1946 and she passed away in 1982. He then married Dorothy in 1983.

    Donald was a member of the Leech Lake Honor Guard and Post 2001 American Legion. He belonged to St. Josephs Catholic Church and he was a trustee at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Federal Dam, Minnesota. He was also a volunteer grandparent for several years at Longville Elementary School in Longville, Minnesota

    Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Alsace; brother, Everett, Jr.; and sisters, Corinne Harris, Peggy Sullivan, and Peggy Fairbanks.

    He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Ronald (Nancy) Fairbanks, Sandra (Joseph) Kennedy; step-children, Debbie Petoletti, Mary (David) Renollet, Peggy Enerson, Michael (Mickie) Enerson, Neil (Ellen) Enerson; seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Everetta Goclan.

    Donald died at his home in Deer River, Minnesota and is buried in Fairview Cemetery at Federal Dam, Minnesota.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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