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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Joel VanCampenhout

Donne served in the U. S. Air Force communications field from 1951 to 1965 attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During his last years in the Air Force he achieved a civilian pilot's license yet was not eligible for Air Force flight school. With a love for flying he transferred to the U. S. Army in 1966 receiving a warrant officer commission in communications and was off to flight school. He was certified in both rotary and fixed wing aircraft as well as the Mohawk. Donne served two tours in Vietnam ?€“ first tour flying gunships and the second as the personal pilot for the Commanding General, lst Cavalry. He retired in 1975 as a CWO3, senior aviator and instructor pilot having been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Medal w/36 Oak Leaf Clusters. He then continued his aviation career with the Department of the Army as the Flight Training Supervisor for the Flight Simulator Facility at DUSAA., Ft. Belvoir, VA. training and recertifying aviators in the Military District of Washington, FBI and VA State Police until retirement in 1997. During his Civil Service career he also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary from 1983-1987 teaching boating safety, patrolling the Potomac River, served as Flotilla Commander and had the privilege to be one of the official escorts for the Tall Ships as they journeyed up the Potomac River to Washington, DC.