>From scrapbook in possession of the Pierce County Historical Association (please note, I am just posting this obituary, I have NO further info on this family) Newspaper is possibly the Spring Valley Sun, date unknown. DONALD GUNVALSON Staff Sergeant Donald Gunvalson came home last week from the battle fields of New Guinea, second of the many in Co. A, 128th Infantry, from the Spring Valley area to return home. "Donny" Gunvalson enlisted in the National Guard unit at Menomonie in company with many others from Spring Valley, in the late summer of 1941. The company left for training at Camp Livingston, La., on Oct. 15 of that year. In March of 1942, the unit began the long treck [sic] to Australia, at a time when the Japs were sweeping all before them. It was at Port Moresby, New Guinea, where the Allies (then composed of a few Australian home guards, the 128th Infantry, and a few supporting units of field artillery and an indomitable American air force) stopped the Japs cold and began to push them back. Company A was one of the units flown into action over the Owen Stanley mountain range. In company with the Aussies, these men walked into a completely new kind of warfare in the experience of American officers. It was in this action that Donald Powell was killed Jan. 10, 1943. Like almost all the others from this country, Donald Gunvalson was knocked out by malaria. He was sent to Australia to rest in hospitals there and then returned to action in New Guinea. His fevers returned, and this time Donnie was kept in the rear until transportation was available to bring him home. He has been in hospitals here for a quarantine period and is now stationed in Illinois. During the three years that S/Sgt. Gunvalson has been in the Army he has had his ups and downs, the high spot being his wedding on April 8, the low spot the time the troops were thought to be lost in New Guinea. He is willing and eager to talk of the highs, but says nothing at all of the latter experiences. Sunday all four Gunvalson boys were at home for the first time since Donnie left this country. All of them are in service. Russ is now stationed at Camp Atterbury, Ind.; Raymond has been accepted by the army and is awaiting call; Bob has been accepted by the navy and is waiting for his call. Although Donald Gunvalson has spent many months in hospitals recuperating from his experiences in action, he looks and acts (and is) a mighty healthy specimen at the present time. Here's wishing him good luck and a soft berth for the duration, he has earned it.