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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 8, 2014 18:04:40 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I wonder if on the formidable resources of WONZ...there is anyone with first or secondhand accounts of my decorated old schoolmate Bruce Donnelly in SVN? I have pics of him from school forward and his US DFC citation but know little of his attachments and combat history. I need more data on Bruce for the Honour Roll in our new book The King's Crew, the unit history of 14 Squadron ATC. Thanks all. Rex
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Post by phil82 on Nov 9, 2014 7:41:45 GMT 12
I recall his attending Government House but have no idea of what happened after he left the air force. A lovely guy by the way! Very humble!
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Post by chinapilot on Nov 9, 2014 8:03:15 GMT 12
Bruce had an illustrious career in AirNZ. A really good guy who was taken far too early.
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Post by errolmartyn on Nov 9, 2014 10:00:05 GMT 12
For those who have not seen the citation – 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 errolmartyn on Nov 9, 2014 10:09:47 GMT 12
The following notes were provided to Colin by Bruce Donnelly in response to a letter of November 1992:
"U.S.A.F. Unit - 19th Tactical Air Support squadron (TASS) Attached to 2 Brigade 25th Infantry Division U.S. Army Base at Cu Chi (Approx 20 miles west of Saigon) Aircraft Type OV10A Bronco 27 Oct 1969 - 27 Apr 1970 Approx 180 missions 500 flight hours TRAINING - Indoctrintation + flight conversion at Da Nang (1 Corp) over 9 days. Combat qualification after further 3 days training. I do hope this will help you. My memory doesn't extend much past the above."
Errol
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Post by phil82 on Nov 9, 2014 14:56:26 GMT 12
Bruce had an illustrious career in AirNZ. A really good guy who was taken far too early. He was indeed a good guy. As I recall him he had an extremely pleasant manner about him and was instantly liked by everyone with whom he came into contact. I wasn't aware he had died.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 12, 2014 9:38:03 GMT 12
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Post by ringatu4 on Nov 25, 2014 18:04:39 GMT 12
Thanks to all above. Bruce's section in the Distinguished Airman chapter of 'The King's Crew' is now reasonable. Rex
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Post by fwx on Nov 28, 2014 16:12:31 GMT 12
I met and shared ticketing duties with Bruce on the gate at one of the Warbirds Open Days a couple of years ago - what a nice guy, and the more I talked to him the more I realised I was in the company of someone with an amazing lifetime of aviation experiences. Humble but happy to share ... wish I could have got to know him better, and was shocked to hear that he had gone.
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Post by scrooge on Dec 5, 2014 17:12:26 GMT 12
While I knew him for a fair while, one of the more interesting chats developed around a Flypast or Aroplane magazine featuring O-2 Broncos in Vietnam. He mentioned a few events and incidents and thought he had probably flown at least one of the aircraft pictured.
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Post by hunternut on Jan 24, 2017 12:06:05 GMT 12
I had the pleasure of watching him and Mark Simich(?) Throw a 744 around the sky over Ardmore in 2003
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