Butler County Chapter NSDAR Veterans' Breakfast

Tue, 11/12/2019 - 12:13pm — Diane Dyer

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Butler County Chapter hosted their annual Veterans Breakfast on Saturday morning at the BCHS Commons Area. Chapter Regent Jane Smith welcomed the group of 17 veterans and their families. Lynda O’Driscoll, Flag Chair led the group in the Pledge, after which Bro. Greg Wallace, of Morgantown First Baptist, gave the invocation.

After enjoying a full course breakfast, Veterans Chairman Linda Woods spoke on the military history of the Veterans of the year George Willis Givens, who was too ill to attend, and his son Donald R. Givens.

George Willis Givens, born November 27, 1922 in Butler County, has lived in Butler County except three years that he was in the military. Mr. Givens had his Basic Training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and advance training at Fort Irwin, California.

In the service he was PFC in the US Army, with the Weapon Battalion 199 AAA automatic weapon. Battery B. From January 26, 1943 to January 15, 1946, he served in South Philippine Liberation, Western Pacific, and Asia Pacific Theater.

He was awarded: Asia Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

After returning to Butler County in 1946, he married Mary E. Miller Givens. They had five children - Donald, Eunice, Marvin (deceased), Kenneth, and Michael (deceased). George farmed after returning from the military until retirement.

Donald R. Givens, SP4, U S Army served March 1968-1974. His basic training was at Fort Campbell and Advance Training at Fort Polk. He served in Vietnam from August 1968 to August 1969 with the 101st Airborne Division, 1st/327 Infantry Company E (Tiger Force) as radio operator. After Vietnam he served with the 5th of 14th Army Division at Fort Hood, Texas

For his service Don was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Rifle National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign medal with three Bronze Stars, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star.

Donald lives in Butler County with his wife Anna and is retired from Warren Rural Electric. He and Anna enjoy traveling to visit folks in North Carolina. They attend First Baptist Church in Morgantown.