Official Commendations

First Lieutenant Donald R. O'Connell

Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Larchmont, N.Y.
on May 2nd, 1955

RESOLVED, that the members of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Larchmont, New York, for themselves and on behalf of the residents of the Village of Larchmont, hereby whish to publicly express to 1st Lieutenant Donald R. O'Connell of the Air Force, their eternal gratitude for the heroism which he displayed in averting what might have been a major tragedy in the Village on June 10, 1954; his alert presence of mind and absolute disregard for personal safety in piloting the plane so that it crashed in the waters of Long Island Sound rather than on the shores of the Village were outstanding attributes to the wonderful character of Lieutenant O'Connell, who will always be remembered as a hero by the people of our Village; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of the Board herewith extend to Lieutenant O'Connell and his family their very sincere wishes for a long, happy and successful life; and be it

FURTHER RESOVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Lieutenant O'Connell and to his Commanding Officer.

J. Crawford Eadie, Mayor
Margaret E. Lord, Village Clerk

At a meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck held July 7, 1954, the following RESOLUTION was unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Donald O'Connell, a member of the United States Air Force, on the 10th day of June, 1954, while operating a F-84 Shooting Star Fighter Plane, from New Castle Air Force Base, Delaware, to Bradley Air Force Base, Connecticut, was forced to make an emergency landing due to circumstances beyond his control; and

WHEREAS, the territory over which he found himself was thickly populated, and an unskillful emergency landing would have caused great damage to life and property; and

WHEREAS, with great presence of mind and exceptional dexterity and courage, he piloted his plane into Larchmont Harbor, where he was forced to abandon it, but not until he had avoided all possible damage,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Board commends the skill and courage of Lieutenant Donald O'Connell for conduct beyond the line of duty imposed on him under the circumstances.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to him and to his Commanding Officer.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
TO
DONALD R. O'CONNELL

First Lieutenant Donald R. O'Connell distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while participating in aerial flight on June 10, 1954. While he was flying over the densely populated City of Yonkers, New York, an explosion occured in the early model jet fighter which Lieutenant O'Connell was ferrying to Bradley Field, Connecticut. Despite the intense fire which raged in the cockpit, Lieutenant O'Connell, electing to remain with his disabled aircraft, immediately altered his course to the east where the waters of Long Island Sound would minimize the danger to life and property should a crash ensue. Displaying exemplary courage and flying skill, Lieutenant O'Connell maintained this course until complete loss of control forced him to abandon his aircraft, which crashed in a remote location of Larchmont Bay resulting in negligible property damage and no loss of life. By his outstanfing fortitude and selfless concern for his fellow man, Lieutenant O'Connell has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.