Alumni Hall of Fame
Service to St. Marys City Schools (2020)

Nick D. Doseck, born on February 18, 1923, was a product of St. Marys City Schools until the age of sixteen when he quit school. Nick was raised by German immigrant parents and spoke German fluently until he learned English in school. In 2021, Nick posthumously received his high school diploma from St. Marys City Schools. Mr. Doseck passed away on October 27, 2019.

On July 4, 1943, Nick enlisted in the U.S. Army. Promoted several times in his military career, this Staff Sergeant was a squad leader in Company A, First Battalion, 413th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division. He entered combat operations in the European Theatre of World War II in October 1944, near the German - Belgian border. His company participated in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, one of the fiercest battles of World War II.

In December 1944, Doseck and his comrades were near the Ardennes Forest when the Germans launched a massive offensive to push the Allies off the European continent. Doseck and his men weathered ferocious fighting and bitter cold temperatures, and stopped the Germans. In early 1945, these brave Americans started the advance into Germany. Doseck and his comrades encountered the horrible smells emanating from Nordhausen Concentration Camp, a sub camp of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Throughout his life, Nick carried a picture of the bodies at this particular camp. The picture was given to him by a fellow Timberwolf so that he would never forget the atrocities committed in that concentration camp.

In March 1945, withstanding intense German fire, Doseck and the First Battalion, 413th Infantry, fought to liberate the village of Inden, Germany, from German control. Many American men were captured by the Germans. Noticing the dire situation, Doseck led his men through intense fire to pierce the German defensive position, but they were driven back. Doseck took it upon himself to charge 75 yards through the open field of intense enemy fire attempting to provide cover for another squad’s push into the town. Doseck then led his squad to protect the flank of another attacking squad. This ultimately led to the liberation of the village.

Near the end of the war, Nick was also deemed a hero when he and his men captured a German sniper. Nick later learned this sniper had killed his best friend, a friend who Nick shed tears over late into his life.



For his individual sacrifice, courage, and heroism, Nick was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the WWII Victory Medal, among others. Nick was also awarded the French Legion of Honor, which is the highest military honor given by France. For his honorable and heroic service to a grateful nation during World War II, the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation inducts Nick D. Doseck, a member of America's Greatest Generation, into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame as our inaugural inductee for Military Service to Country.

The above text, in its entirety, is embossed on a St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame plaque permanently on display in Memorial High School.