Noville Outpost to Bastogne - My Last Battle

About the Book

This is the story of one soldier's last fight at the Belgium town of Noville, an outpost of Bastogne. Orders were to hold this crossroads at any cost until the defenses of Bastogne could be strengthened. This book is an infantryman's memory of this terrible battle, including his close calls with death and the story of how he and his partner destroyed a Tiger tank from just a few feet away. It is a bloody tale of a bloody fight. Some of that blood came form PFC Addor when he was hit twice in just a couple of minutes.

Mr. Addor describes his struggle to stay alive while all alone on the foggy battle field, including how he invented a new type of tournequet to keep from bleeding to death, and his unbelievable rescue and escape from surrounded Bastogne. The book also tells of his Army medical treatment and rehabilitation, which included extensive therapy to help him learn to walk on an artifical leg. Mr. Addor also relates several other combat experiences against the Germans during World War II.

Praise for Noville Outpost to Bastogne

Your book Noville Outpost to Bastogne is a gem and was a joy to read. Your recall of events was amazing in the depiction of the episodes during your period with the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion. World War II veterans and students of that great period in our history would all benefit from a reading of your story. The detailed descriptions of your injury and the recuperative procedures reveal an inner courage and will serve as a model for other injured GIs, whatever the war, to emulate. As a former high school colleague from the good old days, I admire you for putting your story together and wish you all the best with book sales. Malcolm Lawrence, WWII Veteran, 8th Air Force, 94th Bomb Group

We have a talented author among us. I purchased a book entitled Noville Outpost to Bastogne: My Last Battle, at our club picnic and have had difficulty putting it down as soon as I started reading it. It is written by our own, long-term member, Don Addor. He can be very proud of his fine work. It is about his many battles including the Battle of the Bulge, with the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion, 10th Division, General Patton's Third Army. The book is well written, extremely interesting and well worth the $20.00 purchase price. I sincerely hope each of you will buy this outstanding book for an added bonus to your personal library. Thanks Don for this very rewarding personal pleasure of reading your fine book. I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as I enjoyed reading it. Peg Rider, ESRAACA "Glass N' Brass" Newsletter, October 2004.

About the Author

Mr. Addor was born and grew up in Washington DC, where he attended public school. He graduated from Coolidge High School in June 1943 and enlisted in the Army on July 4th. He was called to active duty in September after finishing a semester at George Washington University in DC. Following Infantry basic training in heavy weapons at Camp Croft, SC he was sent to Camp Gordon, Augusta, GA, and was assigned to the machine gun squad, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 20th Armored Infantry Battalion, 10th Armored Division.

The 10th Armored was sent to Europe and became a spearhead division for the Patten's Third Army. As a member of this group PFC Donald J. Addor participated in the Moselle-Saar Valley drive that ended in the capture of the ancient fortress city of Metz. With the 20h AIB PFC Addor was the first group to be sent by Gen. Patton to defend Bastogne. Here he was with Team Desobry at Noville, Belgium. During this battle Mr. Addor was wounded by machinegun fire. Gangrene set in and his right leg was amputated on Christmas of 1944. After medical treatment and rehabilitation that included learning to walk on an artificial leg, he was discharged from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, on December 8th 1945.

In February of 1946 Mr. Addor entered the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. He graduated from Maryland in 1951 with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. His first job was as Assistant Public Information Officer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This was like coming home as he wrote of those wounded in combat in Korea and covered many other happenings at the Center. Following the Korean War Mr. Addor moved to the US Navy's All Hands Magazine where he worked as a writer and editor until his retirement in 1970.

Following his retirement Mr. Addor moved to Rehoboth Beach and became a permanent resident of Delaware. Here he continued his journalistic career as a freelance writer and editor. In addition to covering events for the local weeklies he also wrote a column for the Sussex Post and was writer and editor of the Delaware Legionaire, the monthly newspaper of the American Legion, Department of Delaware. For ten years he served his community and country as a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary writing promitions for their many programs. Mr. Addor is also a life member of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Co. where he was active until he moved.

Mr. Addor is also a member of the following: University of Maryland Alumni Assoc., Sigma Chi and Phi Delta Epsilon National Journalistic Fraternities. He has been Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and was the founder and first Commander of American Legion Post 28, Millsboro, De. that is now one of the largest in the USA. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Mr. Addor has the following military decorations: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, European Theatre with two campaign stars, American Theatre and Victory Medal. He also was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Presidential Unit Citation as well as the Belgium Croix de Guerre and the French Liberation Medal.