Cranford Cops Honor Patrolman, Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient

CRANFORD, NJ - He did a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, trained artillery units, provided convoy security, survived an IED attack and when he returned home helped deliver a baby in a Cranford home. For this, and a multitude of other reasons, Patrolman Daniel J. Donnerstag is being honored by the Cranford Police Department as part of May's National Military Appreciation Month.

Donnerstag served in the United States Marine Corps from November 2006 until July 2012 when he was honorable discharged as a Captain. Donnerstag was stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, serving two tours of duty, one in Al Anbar, Iraq in 2008 and 2009 and the second in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan in 2010 to 2011.

Donnerstag was a Platoon Commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of Task Force MP. His platoon was responsible for convoy security primarily in the Ramadi/Fallujah region. During this deployment he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

After deployment to Iraq he served as an Artillery Liaison Officer to an infantry battalion while deployed to Okinawa, Japan. As Liaison Officer he was responsible for training between artillery units and ground/air forces. He was personally responsible for the safe delivery of munitions from his artillery unit.

Later attached to Second Battalion Third Marines he was the Officer-In-Charge of a Police Advisor Team while deployed in Afghanistan. He oversaw the training of 250 Afghan Police Officers. Training included logistics, vehicle maintenance, weapons training, and tactical training. During this deployment Donnerstag was promoted to Captain.

During this deployment Donnerstag was seriously wounded when the vehicle he was riding in set off an Improvised Explosive Device. The IED went off directly under where Donnerstag was seated causing severe injuries.

Captain Donnerstag’s awards are as follows:

• Purple Heart
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Navy Unit Citation
• National Defense Medal
• Afghan Campaign Medal
• OIF Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
• NATO ISAF Medal

Donnerstag was hired by the Cranford Police Department in 2013 and then attended the John H. Stamler Police Academy. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division working day shift. He is also a member of the Special Operations Team, Water Rescue Team, Command Post Unit, Firearms Training Unit, and Crisis Intervention Team. Donnerstag is a Field Training Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, and lead Drill Instructor for the Cranford Police Youth Academy.

Donnerstag, a native of Union, now resides in Cranford. He graduated from Roselle Catholic High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Kean University.

Donnerstag made headlines back in December when he helped deliver the baby of a high school classmate in his Cranford home.

"It was probably the most awesome experience I've had as a police officer," Donnerstag told Patch.

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