Michael McDonnell

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds…and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of…wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up, the long delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, nor even eagle flew.

And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space…

…put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Author - Flight-Lieutenant John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

The 1920’s were one of the pinnacle eras of American Culture. The Great War was over and the beginnings of television, and the ready acceptance of telephone and electricity set the stage for many great things to come. Flying became commonplace. Charles Lindbergh and James Doolittle made the first transatlantic flight. Air flying companies outbid railroads for transporting the mail, and business travelers took to the skies on scheduled coast to coast flights. On September 24, 1921, in the town of Whittemore, Iowa, a community whose motto is “Whittemore shares more…and cares more”, Leo and Victoria (Thill) McDonnell were celebrating the birth of their son, Michael Paul. Little did they know that he would grow up to become a decorated naval pilot.

Michael was one of three children born to Leo and Victoria. He had a brother Robert and a sister Marjorie. When Mike was about three years old, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where as a youth, he attended St. Gregory and Cooley High Schools. In 1942, like so many young men at that time, Mike entered the military, joining the Naval Air Corps in 1942, at the age of 21. He successfully completed the U.S. Navy Preflight V5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program and received his gold flight wings as a naval pilot in 1944.

During the 1940’s America found itself again embroiled in a World War. Military aircraft played an important role in the war and Michael McDonnell was in the midst of it all. He safely completed 44 flying missions for the Navy, and was eventually awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three other air medals earned during those combat flight missions. Given only to those who demonstrate heroism or extraordinary achievement, and have completed 35 war flight missions, the Distinguished Flying Cross was a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much for his country. During this time, he was also a member of the Navy’s first weather squadron, VPW1, and was transferred to the US Army Air Corp weather squadron.

At the end of WWII, Mike was released from the Navy and returned to Detroit. There, he joined the IBEW Local 58 as an electrician. One of the highlights of his job was working for British Petroleum in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on the Alaskan Oil Pipeline for 18 months. In December of 1952, he married Allie M. Trichell of Louisiana, and together they had two children – daughter Michele, and son Michael Paul Jr. Mike worked as an electrician until 1981 when he retired from the electrician’s union Detroit IBEW local 58.

But the military still had a need for Michael McDonnell. He was called back into active duty during the Korean conflict and was sent to the Philippines to fly PBM Mariners – huge 2-engine flying boats, the workhorse of the pacific fleet. Michael again amassed an impressive 37 more combat missions, returning to the United States at the end of the conflict. During this time he had also qualified as a patrol plane commander for the B24 bomber. He was finally released from active duty but continued to serve his country in the Naval Reserves Program. He retired as a Lt. Commander after 27 years of credited service, 10 of which were active duty.

Michael Paul McDonnell died December 13, 2003. He is survived by his wife Allie, son Michael Paul Jr. of Redford, MI and daughter Michele McDonnell (Charles) Lillja of Houston, TX. Also surviving are his three grandchildren: Christopher Lillja, Daniel Lillja, Michael McDonnell III; and brother Robert L. McDonnell of Milford, MI. He was preceded in death by his sister Marjorie McDonnell Iskow and his parents Leo G. and Victoria McDonnell.

Friends may meet with the family on Monday from 6-8 PM at the McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills. The funeral service will take place Tuesday; instate 9:30 AM, Mass at 10:00 AM from St. Colman Catholic Church, 32500 Middlebelt Rd, Farmington Hills. To read Michael’s complete life story, share a memory, or make a memorial contribution, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

A decorated war hero, a loving husband and father, Michael McDonnell will be greatly missed.