Double Ace Shot Down Five Enemy Aircraft In One Day -- Twice

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame will induct Harlingen (TX) resident Archie Donahue during the 5th Annual Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala to be held on November 8, 2003 in Galveston.

Archie Donahue was born in Casper (WY) in October 1917. His family moved to Texas City in 1934, and Archie studied engineering at the University of Texas for three years before joining the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in March 1941. He graduated as an Ensign on December 4, 1941 – three days before Pearl Harbor. 

Donahue transferred to the Marine Corps in mid-December and was immediately assigned to VMF-112, the Wolf Pack, at North Island (CA) flying Brewster Buffalos and F4F Wildcats. VMF-112 arrived on Guadalcanal November 2, 1942 and, during an eight-month period Donahue shot down nine enemy aircraft; one while flying a Wildcat and eight while flying an F4U Corsair. On May 13, 1943, he joined a select group of aviators when he shot down five enemy aircraft in a single mission.  

In June 1943, Donahue was assigned as a flight officer at El Toro Air Station in California with VMF-451, the Blue Devils, and led the unit through challenging carrier qualifications in the F4U Corsair. In February 1945, the unit began combat operations from the USS Bunker Hill carrying out fighter sweeps over Tokyo, Kure, Kyushu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. On April 12, 1945 Donahue again shot down five enemy aircraft in a single mission, downing three Vals and two Zeroes over Okinawa.

During his two combat tours, Donahue completed 215 combat missions and shot down 14 enemy aircraft. Among the decorations he received were the Navy Cross and six Distinguished Flying Crosses with two Gold Stars.

After the war, Donahue continued in aviation by opening the Texas City Airport. For a number of years, he served as the Director of Operations for the Commemorative Air Force prior to its relocation to Midland (TX) and was an original member of the Tora! Tora! Tora! group.

The Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors Texans who have made outstanding contributions to the development, growth, or preservation of aviation. Additional Class of 2003 inductees are: Gordon Bethune, CEO of Continental Airlines; Deborah Rihn-Harvey, longest standing member of the US Unlimited Aerobatics Team; Dr. Leo Windecker, designer of the first certified all-composite aircraft and innovator of stealth technology; and John W. Young, the first person to fly six times in space, working aboard missions from Gemini III in 1965, to the first Spacelab flight in 1983. With the addition of these individuals, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honors 44 outstanding men and women who have made significant contributions to aviation.

Following the Induction Ceremony, the Lone Star Flight Museum will host an end-of-season fly day on Sunday, November 9. This informal flying event will feature vintage aircraft from the Lone Star Flight Museum collection and other aircraft from the area as we salute our veterans. Gates open at 9:00 AM and flying will begin at noon and continue until 3:00 PM. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to tour the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and view exhibits honoring the five new inductees. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children, with children 4 and under admitted free. No special passes or coupons will be accepted.

FMI: www.lsfm.org