MacKenzie, Donald Alexander
- Date of birth:
- July 9th, 1914 (Kincardine/Ontario, Canada)
- Date of death:
- April 12th, 1945
- Buried on:
- Holten Canadian War Cemetery
Plot: 1. Row: C. Grave: 11. - Nationality:
- Canadian
Biography
Donald Alexander MacKenzie was born on July 9th, 1914 as son to Kenneth and Merguerette MacKenzie from Owen Sound, Ontario. He was married to Mary MacKenzie.
He entered service on September 8th, 1939.
Promotions:
June 1944: Lieutenant-Colonel.
Career:
?: Commanding Officer, 48th Highlanders of Canada.
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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- 48th Highlanders of Canada, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
- Awarded on:
- March 24th, 1945
"At 2130 hours, 10 December, 1944, the 48th Highlanders of Canada, under command the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, commenced the crossing of the Lamone River. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie, though still suffering from the effects of a severe case of jaundice, nevertheless came forward from 'B' Echelon to assume active command of the Battalion for this operation. Although pressed for time, owing to his recent arrival, he showed such an immediate grasp of the tactical situation and such energy and determination in reconnaissance, that he was able immediately to formulate a plan which, when put into execution, was a complete success. By 2230 hours that night two companies were over complete, and the bridgehead so firmly established that it was made available to another Battalion which had not been able to cross on its own front. By 0700 hours, 11 December, the entire Battalion had consolidated across the river."
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- 48th Highlanders of Canada, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
- Awarded on:
- September 27th, 1945
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 12 April 1945. When the 48th Highlanders of Canada had crossed the IJssel River and gained their initial objectives on the Wilp-Deventer Road, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, realizing that this was the turning point of the battle, went forward fearlessly in the face of heavy enemy fire to make a personal reconnaissance in preparation for the second phase of the attack. His plan of attack, based on the information he gained, was eminently successful, and his unsurpassed leadership and daring resulted in the complete rout of the enemy."
Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 271 -Posthumously awarded
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy on 12 April 1945. When the 48th Highlanders of Canada had crossed the IJssel River and gained their initial objectives on the Wilp-Deventer Road, Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie, realizing that this was the turning point of the battle, went forward fearlessly in the face of heavy enemy fire to make a personal reconnaissance in preparation for the second phase of the attack. His plan of attack, based on the information he gained, was eminently successful, and his unsurpassed leadership and daring resulted in the complete rout of the enemy."
Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 271 -Posthumously awarded
Sources
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