Interview

Donald Hawkins, Part 1, Interviewed by Betsy Winn 2007

Donald Hawkins, Part 2, Interviewed by Betsy Winn 2007

Mr. Don Hawkins
Interviewed by Betsy Winn, 2007

Mr. Donald Hawkins was born in Pendleton on January 5, 1922, and lived on a wheat farm near Myrick Station, north of Pendleton.  Don attended a country grade school before graduating from Griswold (Helix) High School.

 Don’s well-respected work ethic started as a boy on the farm first with chores and then driving a horse and mule team pulling combines.  Don attended Oregon State College, majoring in agriculture, where he was also Pacific Coast Conference Champion Boxer in the 155 pound weight division in 1942.

In 1942, Don was drafted into the army where he served with honor in the 58th Field Artillery Battalion.  In his three year army service, Don fought in major battles in Sicily, Northern France, Ardennes, and the Rhineland including the Battle of the Bulge and the second wave of the landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day.  During much of Don’s service he traveled with General George Patton.

Upon his return from service in 1945, Don married his college sweetheart (and Pendleton native) Helen Rice. 

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