[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 HONORING THE LATE DONALD C. DONALDSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Donald C. 
Donaldson, a man who dedicated more than thirty-five years of his life 
to federal service, who died on December, 12, 1999.
  Mr. Donaldson was born on May 27, 1922, in Akron, Ohio. He lived 
through the Great Depression and went on to attend Akron University, 
where he enrolled in the ROTC program. The following year, in August of 
1941, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Navy Reserve V-5 program. 
He was enlisted in the Naval Cadet Program at NACSB in Detroit. He went 
through flight preparation schools and graduated from Naval Air 
Training Command in Pensacola, FL, in 1944. This period in Mr. 
Donaldson's life was signified by his realization of his life's 
passion, which was to fly airplanes.
  Mr. Donaldson subsequently accepted a commission in the United States 
Marine Corps as 2nd Lt. and took his oath of office on May 13, 1944. At 
this time he also received his Civil Aeronautics Administration 
Certificate for single engine aircraft. He served in the Pacific 
Theater of World War II, and at the end of the war, he was stationed in 
Okinawa. Afterwards, he returned to a reserve squadron in Akron.
  2nd Lt. Donaldson worked tirelessly to become qualified on an 
astounding number of airplanes. He was certified to fly more than forty 
different aircraft at the end of his life, with the F4U Corsair being 
his favorite. 2nd Lt. Donaldson continued to improve his aviation 
skills and knowledge by attending numerous flight schools. He attended 
the Naval Justice Program at the U.S. Naval Academy. In January of 
1951, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and he was subsequently 
transferred to Carrier Air Group, Fleet Marines Fleet Pacific, Marine 
Corps Air Station El Toro. Attached to VMF(N)-513, Captain Donaldson 
flew over thirty-three missions against the supply routes of North 
Korea and was awarded the Air Medal at the forward airbase of 1st 
Marine Air Wing. In May of 1955, Cap. Donaldson was presented with 
permanent citations and Gold Stars for his service.
  On June 30, 1956, Cap. Donaldson resigned his commission and was 
given his Honorable Discharge. Upon his departure from the USMC, Cap. 
Donaldson was a highly decorated officer. He had been presented with 
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, PUCW 1*, American Defense, 
WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific 1*, Korean Service Ribbon 1*, UN 
Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with 
1*, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Korean Service 
Medal w2*, UN Service Medal, Korean PUC, and the Organized Res. Medal.
  After the military, Cap. Donaldson continued to pursue his passion 
for aviation by accepting a job with the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, 
where he continued to gain certifications on numerous aircraft. He then 
left Goodyear to accept a position with the National Aviation 
Facilities Experimental Center in Atlantic City, NJ, as an experimental 
systems pilot. He participated in the ``Runaway Jetliner'' experiment 
as well as being involved in the development and modernization of the 
national system of navigation and traffic control facilities. He tested 
the Doppler radar which is now widely used in airports. In 1967, he was 
transferred to Dallas, where he became an Air Carrier Inspector with 
the Air Carrier District Office. He would later become a supervisor. 
Upon his retirement in 1986, he was recognized as the pilot qualified 
to fly the most airplanes as First seat.
  He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Darlene Donaldson; 
his four sons James, Richard, Robert, and David; four granddaughters; 
and one grandson. Captain Donaldson dedicated his entire life to his 
family and country, all the while pursuing his life's calling aviation. 
So, Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do so in the memory of 
Donald C. Donaldson and his many contributions to his family, aviation, 
air safety, and the people of America.

                          ____________________