05/09/2026
Rounds complete on install #0196. Don Brannaman was a Seaman 1st Class in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1946. During WWII Don volunteered for the Armed Guard and was selected for the job. These sailors were assigned to man guns on merchant ships that carried men, cargo, and supplies to the Allied Forces in Europe and the Pacific theater. Don was stationed on the SS Robert Toombs and delivered supplies to the beaches following the D-Day invasion of N**i Europe. This allowed Allied forces to refit and resupply before making their way inland towards the 101st and 82nd already dropped north of the Utah and Omaha beaches. Don was later assigned to the SS Edward P. Alexander that received a Battle Star for actions during the assault and occupation of Okinawa, Japan.
Don died in 2014 unfortunately and this VFI pole was emplaced on his families farm for generations of his family to enjoy and remember Don. There are so few WWII Veterans left, so damn few. If you get an opportunity to sit down and listen to one of them, do it! The greatest men in American history would love for you to hear their story.
📍Solon, Iowa 🇺🇸
