Donald C. Hawley

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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. James Hawley

Lieutenant United States Air Force (ret.). Veteran of WW II Asiatic Pacific Theater. C-47 Pilot and flew over 300 combat missions.

One of his most noted achievements was successfully landing a C-47 that had an engine literally fall off the wing. More than 20 men were on board, 18 parachuted out, and 5 stayed with the plane. All but 2 who jumped survived and all who stayed with Lt. Hawley survived.

His Decorations included the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Air Medals.

After a post-war stint with the FAA, Lt. Hawley became a commercial pilot and Captain for West Coast Airlines and its eventual merged partners in Seattle, Washington. After a successful career and logging over 30,000 hours, Captain Hawley retired from the airlines on February 15, 1979.

During his later years with the airlines Captain Hawley became active with the Society of Air Safety Investigators (SASI). He has continued his affiliation with that organization as well as the Quiet Birds.

Donald C. Hawley has dedicated his professional life to the safety and welfare of air travelers throughout the world. He truly deserves to be enshrined forever on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor.

With All of Our Love,
Darlene, Donna, Gary, Jim, Kathy, and Talia.