On This Day 100 Years Ago: PFC Donald James McAskin’s birthday

Donald (“Don”) James McAskin was born on November 17, 1922, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Exactly 100 years ago to this day. Don’s father, Roger, was 33 when Don was born and Don’s mother, Mary, was 30. Don enlisted in the military on October 15, 1940, just after starting his third year of high school. Prior to enlisting, Don held jobs at local filling stations and other local businesses. 

Featured image: Wedding picture of F/502 Screaming Eagle Donald McAskin with his lovely wife Patricia Mary Casey (Courtesy of his grandson Marcus McAskin). 

Normandy

Morning Report Fox Company, 502nd PIR (September 1944).

PFC Donald McAskin jumped with his Fox Company buddies into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day on June 6, 1944. Several of the F/502 paratroopers who had trained so hard for years would never return to action again after their first combat jump. PFC Donald McAskin was among these men. Shortly after his jump on French territory amidst his enemy, McAskin was severely wounded by a German gunshot. Because of the severity of a bullet wound in his left leg, he would be brought to one of the Normandy beaches and put on an LST back to England where he received additional surgery. Later, in September 1944, PFC McAskin was transferred from the 15th General Hospital at Oteley Deer Park, Shropshire, England, to the States. His treatment would be resumed at a hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, back home. 

Post-war life

Donald McAskin always enjoyed going out fishing (Courtesy of his grandson Marcus McAskin).

Donald McAskin married Patricia Mary Casey on Saturday, December 2, 1944. They both had a Canadian background(with Don having been born in Edmonton, Alberta, and Patricia having been born and raised in Windsor, Ontario). Patricia’sfamily was deeply rooted in the Muskoka, Ontario region (north of Toronto), a family tie that dated back to 1879. 

Donald and Patricia’s marriage was solemnized at the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church, Windsor, Ontario. The reverend A. J. Rooney officiated at the ceremony. After the reception, the happy couple left for a small honeymoon trip to North Dakota, as Donald had to return to his military hospital in Cleveland to carry on with his therapy.

Donald and his wife Patricia had five children during their marriage, three boys (Tom, Michael, and Gordie) and two girls (Mary Kathleen and Colleen), and raised their family in Detroit and southeast Michigan. The proximity to the Muskoka region remained a priority, and Donald was able to pass along his love of fishing and watersports to his kids and grandkids. Donald J. McAskin died peacefully on Friday, May 28, 1993, in Farmington, Michigan, at the age of 70. One more 101st Screaming Eagle of F/502 had soared.
 
This is a short story about one of Fox Company’s paratroopers, PFC Donald McAskin, as described in the book: From the Frying Pan to Mittersill, Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (1942 – 1945). If you are interested in learning more about PFC Donald McAskin and other brave Fox Company paratroopers, order your copy now!

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