'Sweetheart' pillow case in his original mailing box

Identified to Donald L. 'Don' Lucas #35602853

An almost unused Pillow case, still in its original box. These type of pillow cases were very popular among troops as a gift to their loved ones. Typically made of rayon or acetate with colorful flocking, they feature patriotic themes, poems, or military branches. It was sent from Camp Hulen, Texas by Pvt. Don Lucas, Battery D, 788th AAA AW Battalion to Betty Kratz in Akron, Ohio. The pillow case is for a 'Sweetheart', which might mean that Betty Kratz was the Pvt. Lucas’ girlfriend at the time.

During World War Two, as part of Antwerp X, Battery D, 788th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion served in the vicinity of Broechem, Belgium.

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T/5 Donald L. Lucas

Donald Lloyd Lucas was born on November 27, 1923, in Belmont, Ohio, to Doris Faye Weekley (1902-1992) and Leland Lloyd Lucas (1899-1967).

Donald 'Don' L. Lucas enlisted on February 12,1943 in Akron, Ohio. He completed basic training at Camp Hulen, Texas, and was assigned to D Battery, 788th AAA AW Gun Battalion, continuing his anti-aircraft training at Camp Davis, North Carolina. He departed for England in August 1944.

Don Lucas served in the European Theatre of Operations with D Battery, 788th AAA AW Gun Battalion. As a member of this unit, Don Lucas took part in Operation Antwerp X. His unit departed Cherbourg, France on October 31, 1944 for vicinity of Antwerp, Belgium. D Battery arrived at Broechem Belgium on November 2, 1944. They left Broechem on December 18 in order to be deployed at Pepinster, near Verviers, Belgium, from December 20, 1944, as part of the Ardennes Offensive.

Donald Lloyd Lucas married Nita Nelda Delffs on March 4, 1947, in Huntsville, Alabama. He died on June 22, 2006, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, at the age of 82, and was buried there. His wife Nita N. Lucas died on January 31, 2009, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, when she was 84 years old, and was buried in Shelbyville, Tennessee.