Dondereo, A. H. Dondero of Washington D.C.: Company history

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Thankfully the current owners of the Dondero company, trading now under the name of Dondero Inc, have written up a brief history of the company. It now currently makes recognition and awards for all needs.

 

History of Dondero, Incorporated:

A.H. Dondero, Inc. was started in 1922 by Colonel Albert Hubert Dondero, 1879-1946. As a retired quartermaster officer he recognized the need for supplying quality uniforms and uniform appointments for officers of the armed forces. He distributed and manufactured officer uniforms, uniform accessories, distinctive unit insignia and all most any uniform item that an officer would need during his tour of duty.

 

Colonel Dondero originally had a tailor shop and show room on Pennsylvania Avenue, one block away from the White House. Some of his more notable military clients included General John J. Pershing, General Douglas McArthur, General George C. Marshal, General Hap Arnold, officers of all ranks and even some foreign governments personnel from 1922 until the mid-1970's.

 

"The National Air and Space Museum has recently acquired a substantial collection of Charles and Anne Lindbergh memorabilia. Among these items are several uniforms made by A. H. Dondero (Colonel’s uniforms, both summer and winter, Army Air Corps, circa 1939 and USAF Brigadier General circa 1954)." In October 2013 N.A.S.A. was looking for information about Lindbergh's uniforms.

 

In 1960 A.H. Dondero, Inc. moved all operations to Glebe Road in Arlington, Virginia. In 1976 Helen Edwards, the lady who assembled medal sets for uniforms, left to take care of her parents in Louisiana. This was the last part of uniforms that were totally made in our store. At this time changes were made to become a recognition and awards company.

 

In the early 1970's A.H. Dondero, Inc. changed their focus from military uniforms and uniform accessories to other products for recognition. They began selling and distributing more custom awards, service awards, wall seals, gifts and other services.

 

Sue and Pete Hecht purchased A.H. Dondero, Incorporated in 1979 and officially changed the company's name to Dondero, Incorporated. Pete had been working for A.H. Dondero, Inc. since 1975 before they purchased the company from Colin Evans. We are a Woman-Owned Small Business, SAM registered supplier and a Virginia Corporation.

 

1986 brought us with a decision as to where we were going to locate our offices and manufacturing facilities. Sue Hecht, being a native of Brownsburg, Virginia, decided that the company should move most of its operation to Fairfield, Virginia.

 

Today Dondero, Incorporated offers fulfillment programs, quality awards and gifts, in house engraving, textile screen printing, embroidery, promotional products and other customized products.

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Current website of the modern descendant of AH Dondero, Dondero Incorporated.

 

https://www.dondero.com/

 

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A Dondero die set

 

 

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A. H. Dondero application to the Numismatic Society