Archie Glenn Donahue

Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

Archie Donahue had the unique distinction of TWICE becoming an ACE in a single day, and was credited with shooting down a total of FOURTEEN enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II.

GENERAL ORDERS:
SPOT AWARD, Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0982 (SofN Signed September 18, 1947)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Archie Glenn Donahue (MCSN: 0-9018), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Division Leader and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (VMF-451), embarked from the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces during a combat air patrol over Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 12 April 1945.
When the flight leader was forced to leave the formation, Major Donahue took over the lead of two other fighter divisions in addition to his own and led the attack against a numerically superior force of hostile aircraft attacking units of our shipping, personally downing five of the sixteen enemy planes destroyed during the action. By his superb airmanship and gallant fighting spirit, Major Donahue contributed materially to the elimination of a dangerous threat to our shipping without loss to our own planes, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Archie Glen Donahue passed away on July 30 2007 at his daughter's home in Rio Hondo, TX. He was born on Oct 24 1917 to Glenn Scott Frank Thomas Donahue & Marie Barthelow. He was raised in Casper WY until the age of fifteen and moved to Texas City Texas. Archie's sense of humor and love of life were evident to all. In his 89 years he was admired by many. He has been noted as " A Man Among Men Who Accomplished Feats That Most Have Never Dreamed!"

Archie graduated from The Univ. Of Texas with A Degree in Engineering and later joined the Navy. He received his wings as a marine pilot in 1941, 2 Weeks after Pearl Harbor. He served as an airman in Wolf PAC Vm F112 over Guadalcanal. Major Donahue was ordered to El Toro, CA. to prepare marine pilots for carrier ready landings. In Nov. 1945 Archie returned to the Pacific Theater in Squadron Vmf 451 and took flight off Flagship USS Bunker Hill. He returned to the States and was put in command of a squadron, later becoming Lt. and retiring in 1958 ss Colonel. Archie built the Texas City Airport (now the site of Northside Elementary School) and trained pilots under the GI Bill of Rights. His honors in the military include Navy Cross, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 5 Air Metals. Archie was inducted into the American Airman Combat Hall of Fame as well as The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Archie became a real estate broker and later was cited on July 21, 1999 by Gov. George W. Bush for his 50 Years in the business. Archie was also Flight Operations Officer from 1981-1991 The CAF in Harlingen, TX.
Funeral mass will be held at St Anthony's Catholic Church on Van Buren at 11:00 Am on Friday the 3rd. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Tom Pinicelli. Organist will be Mary Steigerwald. Following the service will be a gathering in Rio Hondo. Directions to be given at Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, Harlingen, TX.