Donald A. Stroh  was born in 1892, and developed an interest for the military early in life. He had actually received a commission in the Marine Corps in 1917 before being transferred to a Cavalry unit in the Army. He spent WW1 guarding the Mexican Border. Working his way up through the ranks between the wars, 1933 he wrote a paper on the American Intervention in Northern Russia  (available here), as well as one on Operations of the Japanese 3d Division at Liaoyang in 1904 for Command and General Staff School (available here). He was part of a small team sent to England to evaluate the British Intelligence system. He was prompted to full Colonel in early 1942 and assumed command of the 339th Infantry Regiment. A few months later he was promoted to Brigadier General and given the job of Assistant Division Commander of the 9th Infantry Division.

Stroh played a major role in the 9th Division's actions in North Africa and Sicily, temporarily commanding the 39th Infnatry Regiment. he was awarded the Legion of Merit for his work, and after action reports of his time with the 9th can be found here.  He accompanied the 9th Division to England in preparation for the invasion of Normandy, and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for his role in the drive from Utah Beach to Cherbourg.

In early July the 8th Infantry Division landed in France and went straight into action. The unit suffered some set backs, resulting in the relief of a few officers, including the Division Commander. Having proved himself in battle, Stroh was given command of the 8th Infantry Division on 13 July 1944, and led them into Brittany to help capture the vital port of Brest.

While attacking the city, Stroh's son Harry (a P-47 pilot) was killed when his plane was shot down in support of the 8th. One story has it that General Stroh had ordered that specific air strike, however according tot he family is seems that the General did see the P-47 crash, not knowing it was his son aboard. Needless to say this affected the General deeply.

After the fall of Brest, Stroh was promoted to Major General and awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and Bronze Star for his efforts.  After the war General Stroh wrote a short history of the fighting on the Crozon Pennunsula for the Military Review.

The 8th then moved east to Luxembourg to recover from the damage that had been done to it in Brittany.  Rested, the division was sent into the Hurtgen Forest where the casualties from both enemy action and the freezing weather, battered away the division. After having served for two years in a combat theater, Stroh requested, and was granted, a leave of absence. The death of his son obviously playing a  part in the matter.

Due to his ability, General Stroh was the only division commander to leave his unit in combat, and be given another division to command. After a two month leave, he returned to Europe in time for the German Ardennes Offensive. The 106th Infantry Division ("The Golden Lions") had been all but destroyed in this action; two of the three infantry regiments almost wiped out. On 7 February Stroh was given command of the 106th and began the job of rebuilding it into a combat ready unit.

After the war he served in various administrative posts. He was medically retired in 1947, but immediately called back to duty. He finally retired permanently in 1949. He died in 1953.

His grandson, Bob Stumpf is currently working on a biography of this interesting man.