John Alexander McDonald

T/5 in 3133rd Signal Service Co

ASN#37561829

Born 1924 in ND, Died 2004

Other residence(s): Grand Forks, ND

United States Army, European Theatre of Operations

Occupation before the war: student

College education before the war: Univ. North Dakota

Notes: Rank changed from PFC in Ghost Army roster to T/5 per 1945 Army press releases supported by 1944 Christmas Program

Source: 3133rd Program, 15 Sep 1944; 3133rd roster from 10th Mountain Division Museum at Fort Drum; AES 1944 Christmas Dinner Program; photo courtesy Robert Zawacki

Jack McDonald was born on June 27, 1924 in Grand Forks, ND, the fourth of five children. His father was the owner and manager of McDonald’s Clothing, a men’s clothing store in that city.

Jack grew up in Grand Forks, attending St. Mary’s Catholic School, Grand Forks Central HS, and the University of North Dakota.

He was just a few weeks shy of his 19^th birthday when he enlisted on March 12, 1943. By April, 1944, he was stationed at Camp Chaffee, AR. He was eventually assigned to the 3133 Signal Service Company, and saw service in Italy with the unit during the war. A letter home in April, 1945 reports that he and his platoon were living in a villa owned by an Italian countess.

After the 3133^rd had finished its mission, he was assigned to the 88^th Division, and stationed near Trieste, Italy. A newspaper article shows him there in October 1945 with the rank of CPL. The same article describes an encounter he had in Zurich, Switzerland with a Grand Forks friend and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brother. That afternoon he traveled an hour away to Brunnen, Switzerland where he met up with another Grand Forks friend. Jack was discharged from the Army on March 10, 1946.

He likely finished his studies at UND after his return from Europe. His post-war 1948 draft card says that he was working as a salesman (at McDonald’s Clothing, no doubt!).

His father died in 1949, and Jack, his brother Stuart, and his brother-in-law Bill Hill took over the store. The 1950 census reports that he was manager of the store at that time. Later records show him as President, and Stuart as VP.

Jack married Geraldine Bosard on January 6, 1950 and they would go on to have six children: David, Douglas, Patricia, Elizabeth, Duncan, and Barbara.

A 1962 newspaper article reported that he often walked from home to work. “I walk most mornings in good weather but I take a bus in the wintertime because it’s about two miles. . . . After all I’m not doing this for penance. It’s just for fun.”

As a prominent local retailer, Jack was involved with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, and during the 1960s he was president of that group. He also served as Chairman of the United Hospital Board. He was a charter member of Holy Family Parish and President of the Holy Family Home and School Association. He was also an avid supporter of UND arts and athletics.

McDonald’s Clothing stayed in business until 1978.* Jack then worked for Fladland Insurance and later for Froehlich-Paulson-Moore Insurance until his retirement in 2002.

Jack died on September 28, 2004, and is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Grand Forks. Military honors for his funeral were provided by VFW Post 1874.

*This was a period when numerous menswear stores across the country went out of business due to the rise of big box retailers and changing consumer habits.