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Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War II
Donald Fraser MacQuarrie
Name:
Donald Fraser MacQuarrie
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Service Number:
32001157
Service:
Company F, 2nd Battalion,
60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division, US Army
Awards:
Silver Star
Date of Birth:
May 27, 1915
Place of Birth:
Lexington, Inverness Co., NS
Date of Enlistment:
January 9, 1941
Place of Enlistment:
New York, New York
Address at Enlistment:
Manhattan, New York
Age at Enlistment:
25
Height:
5 feet, 5 inches
Occupation:
Bellman
Marital Status:
Single
Date of Death:
April 1, 1943
Age:
27
Cemetery:
Oak Grove Cemetery, Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts
Donald Fraser MacQuarrie (some records record his surname as McQuarrie) was born in Lexington, 5 km north
of Port Hastings in Inverness Co., NS. He was the son of John Daniel Charles MacQuarrie (1876-1918) and Effie
Sarah (McPherson) MacQuarrie (1876-1925) of Inverness County. His father was a farmer born in Blue
Mountain, Inverness Co. His mother was also born in inverness Co. Donald had three sisters Catherine (1906-
1995), Jessie Margaret (1907-1979) and Sophie Eleanor (1910-2008), and a brother Allan (1912-1987).
Donald’s mother died when he was 3, and his father,
when he was 10 years old. Donald was raised by
family and by 1930, Donald was living in Gloucester,
Essex Co., Mass. with his aunt and uncle Mary A and
James E Mckenzie.
He registered for the US Draft October 16, 1940, in
Manhattan, New York and lists his sister Jessie Morley
as his next of kin.
Donald was working for the Hotel Statler Company at
Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan.
At enlistment just three months later he indicates he
was a hotel bellman; this was most likely his occupation at Hotel Pennsylvania.
In North Africa, he was assigned to Company F of the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment which was part of
the 9th Division of the US Army. The 60th Infantry spearheaded the November 1942 invasion of French
Morocco at Port Lyautey in Operation Torch, winning the arrowhead assault landing device in an action which
laid the basis for its nickname 'Scouts Out'.
The 60th subsequently took part in the First battle of Sedjenane (February – March 1943) and the Second
battle of Sedjenane (April – May 1943). These engagements were part of a larger Tunisian Campaign, a series of
battles in Tunisia, all with the goal to drive to, and capture Tunis in the North African Campaign (November 7,
1942 to May 13, 1943).
Staff Sergeant Donald Fraser MacQuarrie was Killed in Action April 1, 1943. Donald was initially been interred
in North Africa, but his family chose to repatriate his remains and he was re-interred in the Oak Grove
Cemetery in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.
Silver Star Citation
Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride
in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Donald McQuarrie (ASN: 32001157),
United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry
Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On ** and ** April 1943, in the ********, Tunisia area, Staff Sergeant
McQuarrie led a patrol of ten men into the enemy lines, encountered a force of superior number which
opened fire immediately and ordering his patrol to withdraw, covered the withdrawal with fire from his
only pistol until the patrol was safely behind its own lines. During this action, Staff Sergeant McQuarrie
lost his own life. Staff Sergeant McQuarrie's gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard
for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 67 (1943)
Action Date: April 1943
