John M. Donegan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to John M. Donegan, First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-25 Heavy Bomber in the 38th Bombardment Group (M), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 18 August 1943, against enemy Japanese targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. On that date, Lieutenant Donegan’s bomber was badly damaged in an engagement with the enemy, forcing the crew to abandon it in the air. One of the navigators, upon discovering that his parachute had its cover torn, discarded it and strapped himself to co- pilot John Donegan’s chute with two trouser belts. When Lieutenant Donegan’s chute deployed, the navigator’s weight tore the belts and he fell to his death. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Donegan in his valiant effort to save the life of a comrade on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.