Leroy Reed Donnell
Major
9th Fighter Squadron - 49th Fighter Group
The Bismarck Sea
New Guinea’s intense tropical heat and dense foliage were not overly foreign to Leroy Donnell, the vast orange groves and humidity of his home in Orlando being fairly similar in nature. Although the island was rather sparsely populated compared to Florida, the many Allied soldiers greatly outnumbering their native counterparts. Though not a tropical paradise, it was a sufficient enough home for the aviators of the 9th Fighter Squadron, their modern planes adorning the rural airstrip in Port Moresby (1). The hazel-eyed pilot manning a sleek P-38 or ‘fork-tailed devil' as it was known.
Leroy climbed into the cockpit of his P-38, the aircraft shaking as the twin-engines roared to life. He checked his gauges and prepared the aircraft, it's 5 guns situated at it's front ready to deliver a hail of fire at the pull of a trigger. His two fuels tanks were full, which ensured he would be able to travel a great distance and return with little issue. Slowly he pushed the throttle, moving the plane onto the runway and taking off, following the formation on March 2nd, 1943 as they moved to rendezvous with B-17 bombers. Their target being a Japanese convoy that had left Rabaul for New Guinea in a bid to land reinforcements, which could change the tide of the war on the island.
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Unfortunately, the 9th Squadron was delayed in reaching their rally point, the B-17s coming into contact with the ships and enemy aircraft without fighter cover (2). The P-38s were quick to catch-up though, Leroy maneuvering the aircraft as he went toe-toe with Japanese Zero fighters, drawing the heat from the vulnerable B-17s. The Japanese Zeros were fast, but the P-38s proved a worthy opponent, bringing several down. With the needed support, their counterparts in the bombers found their mark, sinking several enemy ships before they retired home (2). The following day the aviators of the 9th were once again scrambled, supporting even larger elements of U.S. and Australian bombers as they hit the Japanese ships entering the Huron Gulf (2). Leroy again did battle with Japanese aircraft, the squadron claiming a number of enemy planes well the bombers knocked out several Japanese ships, devastating the hostile relief force.
Operations Over New Guinea
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea as it was called, was a highlight for Leroy, his actions in supporting the raids resulting in the presentation of an Air Medal. Though an exciting mission, it was only one of a plethora to come as Allied forces began to push deep into New Guinea. To help support these difficult offensives, Leroy flew escort missions for supply aircraft, which landed troops and supplies in remote spots of the dense jungle. The steep inclines of New Guinea and the relatively low altitude flying proving rather perilous, with several pilots in the squadron having to bail out or crashing. On multiple occasions they flew direct assault missions, using rockets and their frontal guns to strike Japanese infantry on the ground, which required strafing runs that left the pilots exposed. When not flying a mission on the island, the 9th was also called upon to provide air cover for bombers as they made runs on the major Japanese bases such as Rabaul.
By August 1943, Leroy had flown a combined 50 missions in the Pacific. Engaging enemy aircraft on multiple occasions and directly helping to destroy Japan’s fighting capabilities on the island and pacifying their overall air power in the South Pacific. For flying so many combat missions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a recognition of his bravery and steadfastness during dangerous operations. In a period of a couple years he had gone from a second year student at the University of Florida in Gainesville to an aviator cadet at Moore Field in Texas to a decorated fighter pilot of the Pacific Theatre. Despite the accolades, his wife, Catherine, only wanted his safe return to Orlando, which was eventually granted, Leroy retiring a Major in the Air Force Reserve and continuing his life in his beloved home of Florida.
Sources:
(1) James Burrett, History of the 9th Attack Squadron, Oct 15 2012, https://www.holloman.af.mil/Article-Display/Article/317472/history-of-the-9th-attack-squadron/#:~:text=The%209th%20Fighter%20Squadron%20was,5%2C%201945.
(2) W.F. Craven & J.L. Crate, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan August 1942 to July 1944, The Army Air Forces in World War II, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/AAF-IV-5.html
(1) James Burrett, History of the 9th Attack Squadron, Oct 15 2012, https://www.holloman.af.mil/Article-Display/Article/317472/history-of-the-9th-attack-squadron/#:~:text=The%209th%20Fighter%20Squadron%20was,5%2C%201945.
(2) W.F. Craven & J.L. Crate, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan August 1942 to July 1944, The Army Air Forces in World War II, https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/AAF-IV-5.html