William E McDonald

Major
42ND TEWS, 355TH TFW, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
03 February 1930 - 17 November 1967
Memphis, TN
Panel 30E Line 010

7TH AF 42ND TEWS
B-66



Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign
William E. McDonald

The database page for William E McDonald

29 May 1998

HIGH FLIGHT

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, or 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.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr

William E McDonald

A memorial from his sons and daughter,
Dave McDonald
DMGT350@aol.com

Dan McDonald
sarinadan@comcast.net�

Debbi McDonald Williams
robdeb@broadstripe.net

20 Jan 2004

Let us not forget the love our relatives had for the job they did. Let us help each other deal with our losses. Let us forgive and remember.

From the pilot's son,
Stephen B. Nichols
sndnichols@alltel.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

When the number two engine of EB-66C 54-0473 failed shortly after departure from Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, the pilot, Major Max Nichols, attempted to return to base. While the aircraft was on short final it settled rapidly into rough ground about 1200 feet short of the runway, slid for a distance, caught fire, and exploded. Only two of the seven men aboard were able to escape the burning aircraft. The dead were




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 11/13/2010