Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
Charles
McGee
July 15, 1920

–

June 7, 2013

Born:

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Home:

Brooklyn

, 

New York

Buried: 

Schuylerville

, 

New York

Cemetery:

Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery

During World War II, Donald McGee became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1967 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    80th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 29, 1942
    Headquarters, V Fighter Command, General Orders No. 5 (February 6, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Donald Charles McGee (ASN: 0-430836), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-39 Fighter Airplane of the 80th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, in action over Hood Bay, New Guinea, on 29 May 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major McGee, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps) [then Captain]

    Batallion:

    363d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    357th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 2 & April 10, 1945
    Headquarters, 3d Air Division, General Orders No. 1139 (June 18, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) [then Captain] Donald Charles McGee (ASN: 0-430836), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot and group and squadron leader of fighter aircraft formations on combat operations against the enemy while serving with the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force. His inspiring leadership, sound tactical judgment, and marked aggressiveness materially contributed to the success of the bomber escort and ground strafing missions to Neuruppin Air Drome, Germany, 10 April 1945; and to the Ruhland area, German, 2 March 1945, despite intense enemy anti-aircraft fire and savage enemy fighter attacks. The superior exercise of command and devotion to duty displayed by Major McGee on these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    80th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 28, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 11 (September 30, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Donald Charles McGee (ASN: 0-430836), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-39 Fighter Airplane of the 80th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action over Port Moresby, New Guinea, on 28 May 1942. Major McGee was pilot of a pursuit plane which participated in an attempt to intercept the enemy. Twenty-Five Zeros attacked, sending elements to the front and rear of our formation. In spite of their numerical superiority, and heavy cannon and machine gun fire which came from all directions, Major McGee turned and made a head-on attack on the main flight and succeeded in damaging at least one Zero. Instead of diving and attempting to escape, Major McGee, noticing an enemy fighter attacking a P-39 from the rear, quickly went to the attack and succeeded in causing the Zero to withdraw. He then noticed another of our planes smoking badly with Zeros still attacking. Again he went to the aid of the pilot and saw tracers entering one of the Japanese fighters. The pilot of the P-39 was forced to parachute and Major McGee attacked the remaining Zeros and forced them to withdraw. This gallant action enabled his fellow officer to land safely. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major McGee, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    36th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 8 – October 26, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 289 (November 19, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Donald Charles McGee (ASN: 0-430836), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-39 Fighter Pilot of the 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific Area from 8 April 1943 to 26 October 1943. These operations consisted of over fifty missions including escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    36th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 18 – December 30, 1942
    Headquarters, Advance Echelon, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 6 (February 25, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Donald Charles McGee (ASN: 0-430836), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-39 Fighter Pilot of the 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Southwest Pacific Area from 18 May 1942 to 30 December 1942. During this period, Lieutenant McGee participated in more than fifty operational flight missions during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included patrol and interception missions against enemy fighters and bombing planes in the New Guinea area. Throughout these operations, Lieutenant McGee demonstrated outstanding flying ability.