Haag, Donald E. died 1942

HAAG, SCHMIDT

Posted By: S.Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Donald Haag, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Haag of Monona, is missing in the sinking of the U.S. destroyer, Jacob Jones, sunk by an enemy submarine off the New Jersey cost, word received by the parents from the navy indicates. Haag enlisted in the navy nearly four years ago and last fall was promoted to machinist mate first class. He was married eight months ago to Hilda Schmidt, whose parents live on a farm near Manchester. The bride was living at Norfolk, Va.

~Clayton County Register, Wednesday, March 4, 1942

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Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Oelberg, Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Smith and Mrs. Vie Schneider attended a memorial service honoring Donald Haag at Monona Sunday afternoon. The service was held in the Methodist church. Donald Haag was lost in the sinking of the Reuben James (sic). He was one of the first Clayton county young men killed in action since the beginning of the war.

~Clayton County Register, Wednesday, April 22, 1942

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Monona, IA - Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Haag have received the Purple Heart Medal, posthumously awarded their son, Donald E. Haag, machinist's mate, second class, United States Navy, who lost his life Feb. 28, 1942, when the United States destroyer Jacob Jones was torpedoed off the coast of New Jersey. Machinist's Mate Haag, officially listed as the first Monona casualty in World War II, enlisted in the Navy in August, 1939.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, November 18, 1943

Note: His body was not recovered. Has a memorial cenotaph in the Monona City cemetery.

* U.S.S. Jacob Jones is the correct name of the ship.