Grave marker for Donald C. Misslitz in
the Meditation section of Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo (San Mateo
county), California. Donald
enlisted in the Army at Fort Snelling, MN on 26 July 1944.
On 23 April 1945 Pvt Misslitz was transferred from the
51st Reinforcement Battalion to Company A, 508th PIR.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal on 11 July 1945.
An Unusual Route Home
On 2 November 1946, Donald arrived in New York City, NY
aboard the USAT Texarkana Victory having sailed from Leghorn, Italy on
October 20th.
The
port of Leghorn, at the time was so small that it didn't have its own
American Consul office. Instead, an affidavit was filed by the
U.S. Maritime Commission, attesting to the fact that the vessel's maser
was unable to clear his ship in the normal manner.
Leghorn (the translation in English) is now more
appropriately known by it's Italian name of LiˈVorno, or its English
equivalent of Livorno. Today it is a bustling port with many cargo
shipments daily. It also hosts a constant flow of cruise ships
whose passengers [at one time including the Jumpmaster and his spouse]
disembark for bus tours in the city of Florence, about an hour away. |