Cmdr. William Howard Donovan Jr.

I love to laugh. I love people who make me laugh. It is sad that I never got to meet Commander William Howard Donovan, Jr. Many described him as having a great sense of humor. Others described him as the kind of guy who was an optimist. The kind of guy who when given lemons, he made lemonade. He was a family man with strong family values, an excellent work ethic and strong morals who was dedicated to all things in his life, especially his family and his country.

On that day five years ago, the day that looked so beautiful with clear blue skies and sunshine, Cmdr. Donovan was taken from all those that loved him. Many of us were witness to it, as we watched or listened to the plane hitting the Pentagon on the television or radio. I, myself, was driving my children to school and was listening to the radio where they were interviewing someone on the radio who was at the Pentagon. There was a loud explosion. It was that moment that at least began the end of Cmdr. Donovan’s life. It is incredible to me to think of it in that way.

Commander William Howard Donovan Junior, “Bill” or “Billy” to his friends, was 37 years old. He was a husband and father of three from Nunda, New York. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1986. In the first Gulf war, he was a naval aviator and after that he served as a tactical officer on the U.S.S. George Washington for two years in the mid 1990s. He was a pilot instructor and received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Post Graduate school in California. He received many awards, among them the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals.

He was passionate about soccer and even played on a Pentagon lunchtime league. This was a passion that he passed on to his children. He must have been one hell of a Dad, because some of the most heart wrenching things that I have read about him, are messages left on various message boards by his daughter, Kelsey and her friends. There were messages left as late as February of this year, an attestment to the impression that he left on his daughter in her young life. From what I have read and seen, it seems he had that effect on many people, those whom he touched directly–his family and friends, and those whom he touched indirectly–people who knew his family and friends, those who have read about him, and me.

*The information for this tribute was gained from the following resources:

This post will stay up here on top until Tuesday.