Wright Auction

Two watches in this special auction come from the Jakeway family. The present lot is from the collection of decorated World War II Paratrooper 82nd Airborne Veteran Sergeant Donald Jakeway. This watch has been donated in honor and loving memory by his son, Don Jakeway Jr. As it turns out, the date of this Watches auction, November 30th, is the date that Sergeant Jakeway passed away in 2019.

Sergeant Donald Jakeway wore this Wittnauer military-issued watch throughout his time serving in the United States Army. It is the actual watch he wore when he parachuted on the outskirts of Sainte-Mère-Église, France at 12:20 a.m. on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Sergeant Jakeway went on to fight in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge before being severely wounded. For his courage in combat, Sergeant Jakeway was awarded four Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, four Battle Stars, Jump Wings with two Stars, and the French Legion of Merit.

A Pro Football Hall of Fame Tenth Anniversary Enshrinee Golf Classic watch (lot 109) from the collection of Don Jakeway Jr. is also up for bid in this sale.

The Brian LaViolette Foundation was formed by the LaViolette family to honor the memory of their son, Brian, who passed away in a swimming accident in Green Bay, Wisconsin when he was just fifteen years old in 1992. Brian was not only an excellent student, athlete, and musician, but he loved watches, starting his own collection when he was four years of age.

Since 1992, the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation has presented 1,058 scholarships to deserving college-bound students in Northeastern Wisconsin, the United States, and other parts of the world. The Foundation continues Brian's legacy by helping high school seniors financially to achieve their educational dreams and, at the same time, providing them with encouragement and inspiration. 

Learn more about the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation