Henry A. Van Dornick

Henry A. Van Dornick was born in Brown County, Wisconsin on January 16, 1918,
the son of Albert and Lena Van Dornick.

He enlisted in the Military Intelligence Department of the Regular Army on June 17, 1940. His home of residence
was listed as Manitowoc, Wisconsin. His civilian occupation was listed as amusement, recreation, and motion picture occupations.
He had completed one year of college and was single with no dependents. His religion was listed as Catholic.

He attended an Officer Candidate Class, number #84, 9th Company, 3rd Student Regiment, at the Infantry School Service Command
at Fort Benning, Georgia. Due to a shortage of Infantry personnel urgently needed by the Army at that time, the entire class was discharged
from the program on October 14, 1942. Some students were commissioned on October 15, 1942. Van Dornick was promoted to
Sergeant, and he and the other students were assigned to various organizations. Sometime between October 15, 1942
and June 1, 1944 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.*

He was Lightly Wounded in Action on July 1, 1944 and returned to duty on July 5, 1944.

Staff Sergeant Van Dornick was killed in action in France, in the area of La Maugerie, on July 10, 1944.

Around the 10th of July, when he passed away - here are the 1/22
journals that have locations:

7/9/44 - 1630 - Lanham to Red-5 - What's the score. 12th Inf. claims
to know where 1st Bn is. Lanham tells him that 12th wants to fire in a
place that would jeopardize the 1st Bn. - Line from Goforth left flank
(779339? - possibly 339779?) - Con? right A on left snipers on right
Bn. reserve. 2nd Bn. still ahead.

7/10/44 - 1315 - Red 3 to S-2 - Capt. Latimer reported that 1st two
companies crossing creek at 33775 (vT337775?). Strongpoint in front of
12th Inf. laying down heavy mortar fire. Going to try and contact
Arty. - 7/10/44 - 1803 - Delaney to Kenan - (2 of 4) - Air of 1800 to
1900 called off Kenan told Delaney that 3rd Bn. has a company at each
of these points #335768 - #338787 - #340782. 1st Bn. has two Co. cross
creek meeting all kinds or fire.

7/11/44 - 1102 - Kent to Red - Almost on La Maugerie - Meeting machine
gun + mortar fire but are still moving up. 333774 C.P.

7/11/44 - 1211 - S-2 to 3rd - (2 of 2) - Our leading elements across
the road 327764 - A little left - Left flank - 3 tanks are firing at
it. Right flank receiving La Maugerie. Red is in the village Maj. Moon
informs them.

I think with this new information, it's fairly evident that SSGT Van
Dornick passed away near Sainteny on the way to La Maugerie.

Green Bay Press Gazette Tuesday
August 8, 1944 page 15

Courtesy of Patrick Coppens

Note 22nd Infantry insignia on cap
of Henry Van Dornick

Henry A. Van Dornick was buried in the temporary U.S. Military Cemetery
Sainte Mere-Eglise #2 at Carentan, France in Block I Row 5 Grave 87 and was moved to the permanent
cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, in the 1947-1949 time frame, when the temporary cemeteries were shut down.

Burial:
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Colleville-sur-Mer
Departement du Calvados
Basse-Normandie, France
Plot D Row 7 Grave 17

Grave marker for

Henry A. Van Dornick

Photo by

John Tomawski

and

Andreia Lino

Grave marker for

Henry A. Van Dornick

Photo by Patrick Coppens

Patrick visited the grave of
Henry A. Van Dornick
in 2024.

There is a monument to Henry A. Van Dornick in the Saint Joseph Cemetery
in Oconto County, Wisconsin.

Top photo of Henry Van Dornick from Green Bay Press Gazette Friday August 4, 1944 page 5
Courtesy of Patrick Coppens