Donald Leslie Kline

Donald Leslie Kline, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024. He was born in Mishawaka, Indiana on December 7, 1924, the son of Ivan and Elsie Schiller Kline. He grew up in Milford, Indiana, and graduated from Milford High School in 1942.

He entered the U.S. Army on February 27, 1943, and served as a medical technician in the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion. They invaded Luzon, in the Philippines on January 4, 1945. Worked with elements of the 11th Airborne division in the air and amphibious liberation of the civilian prison camp at Los Banos, south of Manila in February, 1945. He served as a medical tech in the invasion of Balikpapan, Borneo, where elements of the 672nd landed Australian infantry, who liberated Australian prisoners from the occupying Japanese army. The 672nd was scheduled for the first landings on Japan, but was spared that mission by the Japanese surrender. He was honorably discharged on January 6, 1946, in the grade of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, as well as medals for The Asiatic/Pacific Theater, Philippines Liberation, World War II Victory, Good Conduct, American Campaign, and National Defense. In August, 2011, President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Unit Citation for the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, and also for elements of the 11th Airborne Division for their part in the liberation of 2,147 civilian prisoners from the Japanese prison camp near Los Banos, some 25 miles behind Japanese lines, about 35 miles south of Manila.

He married Ina Belle Long, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on July 24, 1947. They had two children: Christopher, deceased, and Katrina Scordo of Williamsburg. Ina Belle died on February 24, 2005.

He earned the degrees of Bachelor of Arts from Coe College, Master of Arts from Drake University, and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary. Ordained to the ministry of the Church of the Brethren, he served in the pastorate for fifteen years. He also taught high school English, for three years before he became a college professor of English. At the age of sixty, he became. An interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. He was the first person to portray George Wythe, 1987-1998, and was first to portray Richard Bland, 1998-2003. He worked for ON from 9/85 to 1/2010, retiring at the age of 85. During his years at CW he was an avid student of Colonial and Revolutionary history, spending most of his "break" time reading various works of history.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Katrina Kline Scordo (Joseph); grandsons, Joseph Maximus Scordo, Anothony Scordo (Christina), and Trace Scordo; and great-grandson, Carter Scordo.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday August 22nd at Olive Branch Christian Church, 7643 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. The family is planning a celebration of his 100 years at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the Heifer International Project (https://www.heifer.org/)--Donald longed to end hunger across the world.