John R. MacDonald

John Ryan MacDonald was born June 22, 1896, in Gillespie, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of James and Margaret (McCarthy) MacDonald. He came to Massachusetts the year after he was born. He was a carpenter by trade.
MacDonald enlisted June 21, 1916, and served on the Mexican border with Co. L, 5th Inf., Massachusetts National Guard. He reported for duty July 25, 1917, and was transferred to Co. L, 101st Inf., 26th Div. Mechanic, July 2, 1917. He was severely wounded in Trugny Wood, France, on July 21, 1918.  He died October 9, 1918, at a base hospital in Mesves, France, of disease.