Donald Lee Santos

DONALD L. SANTOS CHESTER: Donald L. Santos, U.S. Army retired and former Military Service Coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs died August 25, 2004 at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D. C. following a lengthy illness. The Kent Island resident was 62. Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Mr. Santos joined the U. S. Army at age 16. Following retirement from the U.S. Army due to combat wounds, he attended Northern Essex Community College and Salem State College. Mr. Santos served one tour of duty in the Korean Conflict and two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star with Valor, 2 Purple Hearts, Combat Infantry Badge, 3 Bronze Stars with Valor, Air Commendation with Valor and an Army Air Medal for Combat Assaults. Mr. Santos was awarded the Silver Star with Valor for gallantry in action on September 15, 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. "Staff Sergeant Santos, despite intense hostile fire, had his men in a fierce counter assault on a well fortified bunker complex. Staff Sergeant Santos was able to personally move to the point of heaviest contact and, as the battle raged for four hours, he valiantly carried his wounded comrades to safety." He retired from the military in 1974 and worked for the Military Order of the Purple Heart in San Diego, CA. After being transferred to Baltimore, MD in 1984, he worked for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs as the Military Service Coordinator for the State of Maryland. He retired in 2002. Mr. Santos was always interested in sports and was a member of the U.S. Army Cross Country Ski Team when he was stationed in Alaska. He enjoyed golf and played in amputee tournaments. He got great pleasure watching his daughter play lacrosse. Funeral services will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at the Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, with interment to follow. Friends and family may call from 7 to 9 p.m. on September 13, 2004 at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Chester, MD. He is survived by his loving wife Priscilla, his devoted daughter Penelope "Penny" Santos; beloved mother-in-law, Mary P. Sullivan; two sisters, Joyce Laredo and Darlene Hildreth; two brothers, David and Robert Santos. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlantic Division, 92 Read''s Way, Suite 205, New Castle Corporate Commons, New Castle, DE 19720.