DOB/DOD: August 15, 1920 (Minneapolis, MN) – December 2, 1943; 23 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 63 Wilson Street, Hartford
SERVICE NUMBER: Z-147865
FAMILY: Born to George (1869-1946) and Bonneta “Neta” Elizabeth Saunders Holland (1888-1983). One brother, Robert I. (1924-1956).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Merchant Seaman Donald Holland was serving aboard the Liberty ship SS John L. Motley, which sank in a German air raid on the port of Bari, Italy, on December 2, 1943. There were only five survivors from her Armed Guards, and 30 of the merchant crew were missing or dead. Four of her survivors were ashore. It was reported that three bombs hit the ship. Five American, four British, 3 Norwegian, and 2 Polish ships were sunk by the Germans in this attack. [history.navy.mil]
Buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Piazzale Kennedy, 1, 00048 Nettuno RM, Italy; Plot J, Row 11, Grave 57
