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<em>Donald Boyle Stewart </em>was born 17 March 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Cooley High School in early 1931 and attended Wayne University. Attending the Military Academy was his academic goal, and the West Point Preparatory School at Fort McPherson served as his gateway to USMA and a military career. Marksmanship and photography were his interests as a cadet. He graduated on 10 June 1940 and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Artillery.</p>
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Don was first assigned to “D" Battery of the 17th Field Artillery Battalion. He was a superior commander who challenged both the officers and the men under him to achieve outstanding goals. In a letter written after Don's death, his executive officer stated that “Don was the outstanding officer in the regiment and a very rare combination of an excellent commanding officer who took a personal interest in his officers and men, and a warm and compassionate man."</div>
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Following field training in the Carolinas and England, his unit moved into North Africa in 1942. During the fighting at Sidi Bon Zid, Tunisia, his troops proved to be well trained, with high morale and discipline. The United States forces were overwhelmed by the German Afrika Korps divisions and his battery was overrun. He became a prisoner of war on 14 February 1943. Reflecting back on this experience, he observed, “When I was a prisoner of war, I learned what it meant to lose a battle and when I walked on the dead at Katyn, I learned what it meant to lose a war. I suppose that our country is bound to lose some battles, but I am convinced that we must never lose even one war."</div>
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He completed Command and General Staff College in 1947 and was ordered to ROTC duty at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. The president of St. Mary's considered mandatory ROTC training for male students essential for their leadership development. With Don's love of people and natural teaching ability, he laid the foundation for a Corps of future Reserve officers, some of whom would later serve in his artillery battalion. His basic concepts of Duty, Honor, Country guided him in setting up the ROTC program which continued to function practically unchanged for the next twenty years at St. Mary's.</div>
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It was here that Don met, courted, and married Mary Lou Hoch. During their thirty-five year marriage, they were blessed with five children: Monica, Robert, David, Kathleen, and Barbara—whom they reared in a secure home and church centered family. Dedicated religious man that he was, Don gave freely of his time and talents in the service of his church, as he did in the service of his country.</div>
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In the Twenty-Fifth Year Anniversary <em>HOWITZER</em>, Don wrote, “I have always found troop, service school, and civilian component duty to be more rewarding than staff duty. I have found immensely more satisfaction in seeing improvement take place in an individual or a unit as a result of my efforts, than I have in preparing disposition forms in staff study format." He found this satisfaction as Commander of the 20th Field Artillery Battalion in 1953 in Germany. With a motto of “Best by Test," the battalion achieved an outstanding record of performance by individual units, and also by the battalion as a whole. There followed a number of varied and interesting assignments at the Artillery School, Korea, France, Fort Hamilton, and Fort Sam Houston. In particular, he cherished the memories of die four years he spent as advisor with the Division Artillery of the 36th National Guard Division. He strongly felt the importance of training the citizen-soldier.</div>
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Since Don's primary interest was in teaching, it was natural for him to turn to teaching as his second career upon retirement. He taught mathematics at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas for nine years. His interest in the individual prevailed. One of his fellow teachers wrote, “Dedication to his students, a paternal and sincere interest in each individual were his. An openness and willingness to listen to others for improvement always impressed me."</div>
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During the last six years of his life, there was a gradual deterioration of his health. He died 8 May 1983 and was buried with full military honors in the National Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.</div>
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His dedication and strength of character were an inspiration to all who came in contact with him during his active life, and during his long battle with terminal illness. His decorations include the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with “V" device. May he rest in peace.</div>
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