Marge Donroe Bellafronto’s father, Alfred (Fred) Arthur Donroe, was born in New Haven Connecticut, November 9, 1916. He met and married Dora Barbaresi on September 16, 1940.
Marge was born two years later on September 25, 1942.
Alfred enlisted in the Army in July 1943 in New Haven and he headed overseas in October of that year.
The following is a narrative called “Alfred’s War” from one of his family members attached to another family tree:
“After training in Northern Ireland and Wales from October 1943 to June 1944, the 2nd Infantry Division crossed the channel to land on Omaha Beach on D plus 1, 7 June 1944, near St. Laurent-sur-Mer. Attacking across the Aure River, the Division liberated Trévières, 10 June, and proceeded to assault and secure Hill 192 which was repelled the key enemy strongpoint on the road to Saint-Lô. After three weeks of fortifying the position and by order of Commanding General Walter M. Robertson the order was given to take HILL 192. On 11 July under Command of Col. Ralph W.Zwicker 38th INF with the 9th and the 23rd by his side the battle started at 5:45 am. Using an artillery concept used in World War I (Rolling Thunder) which was the only time during World War II it was used and after 25,000 rounds of HE/WP the hill was taken. The Division went on the defensive until the 26th. July. After exploiting the Saint-Lo breakout, the 2nd Division then advanced across the (Vire) to take (Tinhebray) on 15 August 1944. The Division then raced toward (Brest/France), the heavily defended port fortress which happened to be a major port for German U-Boats. After 39 days of fighting the Battle was won, and was the first place the Army Air Corps used Bunker busting bombs. On August 25th 1944 Private Alfred A Donroe was killed in action.”
You can read more about the Assault on Brest here.
Marge was one month shy of her second birthday when her father died.
Dora married Fred’s brother Albert in 1947 and they had two sons. Marge married my first cousin Mal Bellafronto in 1964.
Fast forward to July 31st, I received a message through Ancestry from a French genealogist who was looking for the family of soldiers who died in combat during WW2 in Gouesnou France in the summer of 1944. He contacted me because Albert Donroe is listed in my family tree.
“Every year the City of Gouesnou honors the hero soldiers and civilian victims, because here in Gouesnou, we consider that it is our duty to remember the past for the sake of history and transmission, particularly to the youngest generation.”
The city has decided to create a permanent monument to the soldiers and victims with the inauguration of the US Memorial planned for November 2026.
I sent a message to another ancestry member who has a Donroe Family Tree (not sure of the relationship), and he had also been contacted and was able to provide the genealogist with an even closer family member.
It’s good to know that these soldiers continue to be remembered for their heroism during World War II and that this city is preserving the information for future generations.
It's All About Family 
I have always wanted to visit these French towns near the coast for this reason alone. I think it is a testament to humanity that the French do this for the G.I.’s remains.
so glad you have pieced together more of your geneaology. Mike
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We took a River cruise from Paris to Normandy in 2022 and visited the cemetery and beaches. it was very moving. I hope you get there someday!
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thank you Nancy, it really is moving. just knowing what happened on that day – I really believe that it should be taught in schools. that and the naval sacrifice at Midway!
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Dora used to babysit me as a child! Dava was my grandmother and her first husband eddie also passed away in WW2. Just last weekend I was talking to my mom about Eddie and decided to look him up and came across this. I was wondering where you got the info from “Alfreds War” and what family member posted that.
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Hi Dan!
I’m so happy you found this and commented. I don’t think I realized that Eddie passed away in WW2 as well! The information from “Alfreds War” came from a Donroe Family Tree on Ancestry. That is where the pictures are from as well. I’m reached out via ancestry message to the person’s tree it was attached to and hopefully they will respond!
We loved Margie and thought she and my cousin Mal were just the “perfect couple”. We were quite sad when Marge passed away. Mal passed away last July in Oregon.
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Dava and Eddie never had children. My grandmother married Joseph Catone after the war and lived around the corner from Dora their entire lives in Hamden. Even later in life they moved into the same senior citizen apartment complex. Speaking with my mom today she said she has pictures of Mal and Margie from family picnics. We never knew the military history of Alfred. And I currently live a mile away from where Mal grew up. What a small world
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Then you can’t be very far from me? I’m a short walk from their home on Lincoln Avenue. It might have just gotten smaller 😂
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Hi Nancy. You must be the one who connected the people of Gouesnou with me. Thank you for that. If it wasn’t you, thank you anyway for posting my grandfather’s story and all you do to preserve our family history. My wife, Maria, and I are heading to France for the ceremony. It’s wonderful that the people of France have not forgotten our soldiers. I hope you and the family are doing great! Thank you, again!
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Thank you for your comment! I was contacted by someone in France and reached out to another ancestry tree member, so although I may not have been the exact person, together we made sure it was done!
I’m so happy you are going there and I hope you will contact me with pictures!
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