Donald Montgomery Buchwald, Colonel, Infantry (United States Army, Retired) was born "to the sound of the drum" on 7 January 1933 at the Station Hospital, Fort Snelling, MN to Lieutenant Donald Frank Buchwald and Catherine Crawford Montgomery Buchwald.

As a very young boy, he looked forward to watching the "boom-booms" of the 3rd Infantry during training and on parade, Don was destined to become a soldier.  His formative years were spent with his family at Fort Davis, Panama Canal Zone; Ft Custer, MI; Ft Knox, KY; Fort Hood, TX; Ft. Jackson, SC; Newburgh, NY; Carlisle Barracks, PA; and Ft Lewis, WA.  Some of his best stories were about "going to work" with his dad in the pre-war Army observing and participating in some of the actual training events and maneuvers with the soldiers.

Don forged his early leadership skills becoming an Eagle Scout.  He achieved his long-held goal to graduate from West Point like his dad and become an Infantry officer and he graduated with the West Point Class of 1955 on 7 June.  He soon married the love of his life Carole Mae Roberts Buchwald on 2 July 1955.  They shared a love that transcended time.

After completing the grueling Airborne and Ranger schools at Ft Benning, he participated in Operation Gyroscope with the 13th Armored Infantry Battalion stationed at Butzbach, Germany.  Their first two children were born in Germany, the third at Ft Riley, KS and their last at West Point, NY.  Don commanded the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment at West Point from 1974-1977; his third assignment with the regiment.  He served with its sister battalion the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment in Viet Nam in 1967-1968, and was awarded the Silver Star for his heroics at the Battle of Kham Duc.  But what he most cherished was the plaque and watch presented to him by the battalion non-commissioned officers (NCO's) in a "secret" ceremony shortly after the battle where they thanked him for a "job well done" and for saving their lives.  In the decades afterwards, the soldiers of the battalion sent letters, called and whenever possible told his family how much they admired him and what a hero he was. The watch was very expensive, and Don wanted to keep it if possible, so he spoke with an Army lawyer.  Characteristically looking out for his soldiers, the solution was for MAJ Buchwald to put the exact amount of the cost of the watch into a beer fund that treated his soldiers returning from the field for many months.  Looking out for "his Soldiers" would be one of the hallmarks of his distinguished career.

After retiring from his active-duty career, Don and Carole eventually moved to York County in 2006 to be near family. A published author, his master's thesis is still the definitive work in his oft quoted history of the 1st Infantry Regiment and his edited version of "Tales From the Cold War: the 13th Armored Infantry Battalion on Freedom's Frontier." Don left us on 13 Feb 2025 in the arms of his daughter.  He left us without pain or suffering.  He was regarded as God's very own and devoted servant. He was a loving father and husband and will be missed and remembered by family and friends.  He was a member of St. Timothy's Anglican Church.  Repeating his own words to our mother we say Farewell Good and Faithful Servant - Hold High the Cross.

He is survived by his devoted family - daughter and caregiver, Lucy Buchwald; son Jim Buchwald (Peggy); daughter Maggie Landis; and daughter-in-law Ellie Buchwald; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Carole, his much-loved son Donald R. Buchwald, and his son-in-law Steve Landis.  Carole and Don will be buried at a later date with his parents in the United States Military Academy Cemetery, West Point, NY.  The family would like to thank his long-term and treasured caregiver Giselle from Visiting Angels and the nurses of Riverside Home Health (especially Ashley, his primary nurse for many years).

His memorial service will be held at St Timothy's Anglican Church, Poquoson on 8 Mar at 11:00.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Timothy's.