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Post by DragonflyDH90 on Apr 15, 2013 8:44:05 GMT 12
DONNELLY, Bruce Wallace. DFC 81959 RNZAF Flt Lt Air NZ Captain (Ret). Bruce passed away peacefully at the Hibiscus Hospice on 11th April 2013.
Goodbye Bruce, proud to have known and flown with you. Gone far too soon.
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Post by Damon on Apr 15, 2013 9:32:42 GMT 12
Very shocked at the passing of Bruce Donnelly.I flew with him a couple of times at Walsh doing aerobatics etc.He willl be missed at our Tiger Moth club and Warbirds ,to name just a few . RIP Bruce.
Damon
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Post by errolmartyn on Apr 15, 2013 13:17:22 GMT 12
DONNELLY, Bruce Wallace. DFC 81959 RNZAF Flt Lt Air NZ Captain (Ret). Bruce passed away peacefully at the Hibiscus Hospice on 11th April 2013. Goodbye Bruce, proud to have known and flown with you. Gone far too soon. From Colin Hanson's By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999: DONNELLY, Flight Lieutenant Bruce Wallace, DFC. A81959; Born Opotiki, 26 Jul 1946; RNZAF 12 Jan 1965 to 30 Dec 1974, Res. to 31 Dec 1978; Pilot. Citation Distinguished Flying Cross (30 Jun 1970): [19th Tactical Air Support Sqn (OV-10A Bronco), Attached 2 Bde, 25th Inf Div, US Army)] Flying Officer Bruce Wallace Donnelly, RNZAF, has completed an operational tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on attachment to the 25th United States Infantry Division. On 7th December 1969 while serving as Forward Air Control pilot with 2 Brigade, Flying Officer Donnelly distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions above and beyond the normal call of duty. While on an aerial surveillance mission in the Hobo Woods, a light observation helicopter he was working with made contact with several North Vietnamese soldiers. Flying Officer Donnelly immediately reacted rolling in on the target engaging it with machine-gun and rocket fire, which enabled the helicopter to break contact. While the light observation helicopter performed a battle damage assessment and called for artillery, he summoned an air strike. Upon arrival of the fighters, he selectively marked the confirmed enemy locations constantly exposing himself to enemy fire. Primarily through his exceptional control of the fighters and accuracy in marking and firing on the positions, he was able to neutralise the enemy location. As the airmobile insertion forces which were called earlier, approached the landing zone, they began receiving small arms and automatic weapons fire some 500 metres away from the primary target. Again without regard for his own safety, he piloted his aircraft directly toward the position suppressing the enemy and allowing the aircraft and ground forces to complete the insertion without sustaining damage or casualties. Flying Officer Donnelly’s determination contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission, he is directly credited with killing one North Vietnamese during the action, and his superb flying skill and rapid assessment of the tactical situation aided significantly in attaining a final North Vietnamese body count of thirteen. Flying Officer Donnelly’s coolness in the face of extreme danger, his willingness to sacrifice all for his mission and his comrades, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the RNZAF. Flt Lt Donnelly was based at Cu Chi, about 20 miles west of Saigon. His operational tour of duty, from 27 Oct 1969 to 27 Apr 1970, consisted of 180 missions and 500 hours flying Errol
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 16, 2013 16:00:15 GMT 12
Very sad to hear of Gordon Needham's passing, and also that of Bruce Donnelly. Both nice chaps whom most of us would have bumped into or flown with in our aviation circles. RIP
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Post by phil82 on Apr 18, 2013 14:34:15 GMT 12
Very sad to hear of Gordon Needham's passing, and also that of Bruce Donnelly. Both nice chaps whom most of us would have bumped into or flown with in our aviation circles. RIP Bruce Donnelly was indeed a lovely guy. His DFC was well-deserved.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 9, 2015 9:19:24 GMT 12
LAC (RTD) Michael John DONNELLY L88928 INTMEDASST RNZAF 11 Feb 1978 to 16 Sep 1981. On the 3rd of January 2015, suddenly and unexpectedly, while doing what he loved - hunting. Aged 53 years. Dearly loved and treasured son of Joe and Lois, adored brother of Joanne, Maria, Lisa and Kerry, bro-in-law of Bruce, the late Paul, and Lee, and cherished uncle of many. Mike is now at home. All welcome. Service to be held at 524 Fitzgerald Rd, Drury at 11.30am on Friday 9th January, followed by private cremation. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mikes memory to St John Ambulance. Our lives will never be the same.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2017 14:24:35 GMT 12
I just received this from Dave Starr:
Hi Dave Notice in today’s Herald. Maxwell Gerald Donnelly (Max). Passed away Tuesday 12th September 2017, aged 72 years. Dearly beloved soulmate and husband of Michelle. A private funeral was held for Max on Friday 15th September 2017. When I first met Max he was driving a truck for R & O Transport. He became very interested in flying and worked as a loader driver for the local Co Op in Warkworth, gained his Commercial licence and ag rating. His first job was with Wanganui Aero Work and then shifted to Kaitaia with James. He then started on helicopters with Wisharts before returning to Kaitaia on helicopters for James. He did quite a bit for the Rescue helicopter in Auckland for James and then took over that part of the business. His son Lance has flown helicopters for the Rescue service in Auckland. Unfortunately have not seen either of them for some time. Thought you might be interested. Regards Dave Starr
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Post by delticman on Sept 16, 2017 20:50:57 GMT 12
I just received this from Dave Starr: Hi Dave Notice in today’s Herald. Maxwell Gerald Donnelly (Max). Passed away Tuesday 12th September 2017, aged 72 years. Dearly beloved soulmate and husband of Michelle. A private funeral was held for Max on Friday 15th September 2017. When I first met Max he was driving a truck for R & O Transport. He became very interested in flying and worked as a loader driver for the local Co Op in Warkworth, gained his Commercial licence and ag rating. His first job was with Wanganui Aero Work and then shifted to Kaitaia with James. He then started on helicopters with Wisharts before returning to Kaitaia on helicopters for James. He did quite a bit for the Rescue helicopter in Auckland for James and then took over that part of the business. His son Lance has flown helicopters for the Rescue service in Auckland. Unfortunately have not seen either of them for some time. Thought you might be interested. Regards Dave Starr That is very sad news. The last time I saw Max was at the Ag-reunion at Masterton 2009. He was always good for a story. In earlier times, it was always good to catch up with him in his caravan at Mechanic's Bay.
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