Soldier with local ties dies in Afghanistan

Published 10:27 am Wednesday, August 11, 2010

A soldier with ties to Lawrence County has died from injuries while fighting in Afghanistan.

Max Donahue, 23, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., died Saturday from wounds sustained three days earlier in combat, the Associated Press has reported.

Donahue was the grandson of Max Donahue, Sr., and the son of Greg Donahue, both of whom lived in Coal Grove. Max Donahue Sr. is the former pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church in Coal Grove, where he served from 1970 to 1982. He now serves at Slab Fork United Methodist Church.

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Coal Grove resident Carol Gool spoke with the soldier’s grandfather last week after his grandson had been injured.

“When I talked to Max (Sr.) they were told that he had both legs amputated and an arm and they were waiting to hear about brain and eye damage,” Gool said.

Gool said she has not talked to the family since then and assumes that they are traveling to Colorado for the funeral service.

Max Donahue was a military policemen and working dog handler who enlisted in the Marine Corps July 17, 2006, according to the AP.

Donahue’s personal service awards include: Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Two Iraq Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Certificate of Commendation.