Donald Foster knew from a young age he wanted to join the military. He grew up in the suburbs of Boston, Mass., and attended the Gilbert Stewart School and graduated high school from Hyde Park High School in 1953. Later that same year, he enlisted into the Army during the Korean War.
Foster completed basic training at Fort Rucker, Ala., and was selected for advanced basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga. Upon graduation, he was placed in the 47th Division, which was known as the “Viking Division.”
Here, he trained West Point Cadets in the summertime and worked alongside commissioned and non-commissioned officers to train officer candidates. Foster continued leading the same type of training at Fort Hood, Texas. At Fort Hood, he led a particularly memorable training maneuver where he and other members of his division encountered snakes falling from the trees onto them when sleeping outside in a pecan orchard.
Foster continued at Fort Hood in the 3rd Armor Division until a new assignment at Fort Benning. There, he trained future infantry platoon leaders. Foster recalled the long hours of field inspections in the Georgia sun, the constant physical training and maintaining the perfect example for students. The highlight of his service experience was at Fort Hood, being assigned as the aid for his hero, the highly decorated Audie Murphy during a parade.
Foster was honorably discharged as a corporal from the Army in September 1955. He returned home to Boston and used the G.I. Bill to attend aviation school. He then spent several years flying for Pan American Airways.
Afterward, he worked in Boston Mutual Insurance before fulfilling his dream and opening an antique shop in Massachusetts called “Foster’s.”
Foster’s legacy is continued through his advocacy work for other Veteran patients seeking VA resources. He also enjoys home décor and has decorated his entire home in honor of his patriotism with vivid red, white and blue decorations.
Foster now lives in Weymouth, Mass., with his family.
We honor his service.
