Allan Arthur MacDonald

SFC (RET) Allan Arthur MacDonald born Oct 14th 1923 passed away April 14th 2016. Born in Kearny New Jersey he lived in Marina California for many years. Sgt MacDonald or Old Bill as many of the soldiers at Fort Ord California called him for his participation in their many parades on the Main Parade Field. Also at Fritze Army Airfield. He served with B troop 5th Calvary regimen, 1st Calvary Division at Fort Bliss Texas, and Fort Clark Texas guarding the border between the USA and Mexico. They patrolled on horseback along the borders against saboteurs and illegal immigrants. They caught a few coming out of the water also the Mexicans dropped their suitcases and boxes as they floated down the river. The Mexicans swam and ran back to the Mexican side. Upon being dismounted in 1943 as WWII was in progress he started training in Austrailia before going into battle with the Japanese. A short time of training they boarded on a ship and after a long trip across the Pacific landed in Austrailia. There they once again began more training and moved to New Guinea, then on to the Admiralty Islands and landed with the first wave onto the island. After several months of fighting they once again moved up to invade Leyte Island hitting the beach with the 1st wave. They slowly moved inland then South going through many Philipino town till that campaign was over. Then onto Luzon Island P.I. on through many small towns and villages till they reached Manilla. First unit into the Phillipine Capital. Then he proceeded onto Tokyo Japan. Once there the commanding general told him he had many points and was over there many months he had to go home as the War had come to a close. After several weeks at home he decided to go back and was once again in Japan and was assigned duties with the 1st Calvary Division at Camp Drake and performed duties as stable Sgt with 37 hordes for any enlisted personnel and their wives who wished to ride. After several months he was transferred to GHQ under General Douglas MacArthur as a stable Sgt for Setagaya race track. There once again he had horses for the troops and families to ride. When they facedout he was assigned as manager Shiba Park swimming pool. He served during World War Two, Korean War, and Vietnam War. His first wife Shizue UChida MacDonald lived with him for 40 years and gave him some lovely daughters; Diana, Jane, Ida, and Lorena. After her death he went a few months alone and returned to Japan and Married his second wife Yasuko Terakado MacDonald.