Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrant Officer

Unit:

No. 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 4th, 1942

Recommendation (undated) drafted when he had flown 35 sorties (200 operational hours). Sortie list and submission as follows: 26 August 1941 - Boulogne (5.00) 28 August 1941 - Ostend (7.00) 2 September 1941 - Frankfurt (6.50) 6 September 1941 - Huls (4.05) 8 September 1941 - Kassels (7.25) 11 September 1941 - Kiel (8.20) 13 September 1941 - Brest (6.15) 15 September 1941 - Hamburg (7.00) 17 September 1941 - Karlsruhe (6.20) 29 September 1941 - Sea sweep (3.15) 3 October 1941 - Dunkirk (2.05) 10 October 1941 - Cologne (7.30) 15 October 1941 - Cologne (6.40) 20 October 1941 - Bremen (6.05) 22 October 1941 - Mannheim (6.30) 1 November 1941 - Kiel (8.30) 4 November 1941 - Essen (6.45) 7 November 1941 - Berlin (3.20, turned back over Holland) 8 November 1941 - Essen (4.45) 30 November 1941 - Hamburg (7.35) 17 December 1941 - Brest (5.55) 23 December 1941 - Brest (7.05) 27 December 1941 - Dusseldorf (4.45) 3 March 1942 - Essen (4.00) 9 March 1942 - Essen (4.15) 12 March 1942 - Kiel (6.25) 13 March 1942 - Sea sweep (3.30) 25 March 1942 - Essen (4.00) 26 March 1942 - Essen (4.05) 28 March 1942 - Lubeck (6.50) 1 April 1942 - Hanau (7.25) 5 April 1942 - Cologne (5.50) 9 April 1942 - Essen (2.30, daylight, early return) 10 April 1942 - Essen (5.30) 12 April 1942 - Essen (6.10)

"Since 25th August 1941, Flight Sergeant Donnelly has carried out 35 operational sorties of which 24 were as captain of his aircraft, involving 200 hours flying on operations. He has carried out all his operations with tremendous keenness and determination. The number of occasions on which his aircraft has been damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire bears witness to the forceful and courageous manner in which he has at all times pressed home his attacks. It was very often due entirely to his outstanding ability and fortitude that the aircraft and crew were enabled to return safely to base. The majority of his sorties have been carried out against the most heavily defended targets in Germany and occupied territory. These include Essen, Kiel, Cologne, Hamburg and Brest. The average height of attacks was below 10,000 feet. Flight Sergeant Donnelly often remained in the target area for long periods, making several runs over the target in order definitely to identify it. He carried out eight successful sorties against armament factories at Essen and on numerous occasions under the most trying weather conditions he has continued on to the target. His cheerfulness and enthusiasm in the air and on the ground have been a source of inspiration to all members of the squadron."

Medal presented at Buckingham Palace, 10 November 1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 405 (Vancouver) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1944