Memorial services, honoring the memory of T-4 Donald Speck, were held Sunday afternoon at the First Methodist church in Gothenburg.

The memorial sermon was given by the church pastor, Rev. Mearl C. Smith, and Gothenburg Post 64, American Legion, participated in the service. Music was furnished by a male quartette: Jim Gray, Glenn Bryant, Arthur Larson and Dr. D. L. Thompson. Mrs. Meral C. Smith accompanied them at the organ.

Technician Fourth Grade Donald Alvin Speck, youngest son of the late Peter Speck and his wife, nee Mary Devine, was born at the family farm north of Ingham, Nebraska, on February 4, 1917, and died in France on October 9, 1944, while in action against the enemy in that country. His age at the time of his death was 27 years, 5 months and 8 days.

He spent his childhood north of Ingham, and attended grade and high school at Ingham.

In 1937, he moved with his mother to Gothenburg, where he lived until he entered the U. S. Army through selective service in August, 1941.

He began his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and completed this training at Camp Livingston, La., in the Mechanized Cavalry. From there he was transferred to Camp Hood, Texas, for further traning in mechanized warfare. In February 1944, he sailed for England with the 106th Cavalry. He trained in England until July, when his unit was transferred to France and went into immediate action against the Nazis. It was while serving in the reconnaissance division of this unit that he was killed in action on October 9.

He was an industrious young mand and was popular and very well liked by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and many friends who mourn his sad by heroic death.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Speck of Gothenburg; three sisters: Mrs. Margaret Griffith of Berryville, Ark., Mrs. Jessie Martin of Farnam, and Geneva Speck of Gothenburg; two brothers: Gene Speck of Holdrege, and Pfc. Charles Speck, who is in the U. S. Army and is now stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Gothenburg Times, 37(22):1 Thursday, November 23, 1944

Donald is buried at Epinal American Cemetery near Epinal, France. (Service ID: 37073752) (Epinal American Cemetery photos)

See 2007 Memorial Day Address: Duty, Honor, Country

Click to enlarge