Gentlemen,
It is my sad duty to inform you that on Monday, 4 August 2025, Golden Eagle Emeritus CAPT Raymond “Ray” DONNELLY, USN (Ret), made his Last Take Off at the age of 96 years, in Melbourne, FL, with his wife Marilyn and family by his side.
Ray was born in March 1929 in Evansville, Indiana, and raised there. After high school and college, Ray joined the Navy on 1 June 1951, reporting to Pensacola, FL, to begin his flight training. The training track at that time took him to Kingsville, TX, and finished in Corpus Christi, TX, with Ray earning his Wings of Gold on 7 November 1952. The first two months of 1953 were also at NAS Kingsville where he completed jet transition training, and then in March 1953 he reported to his first operational squadron, the VF-173 Jesters, flying the F9-F6 Cougar, stationed at NAS Jacksonville, FL. The squadron deployed aboard USS Wasp (CVA 18), a straight-deck aircraft carrier, for an around the world cruise, departing Norfolk, VA, in September 1953. Sailing through the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, the ship/carrier air wing team joined TF-77 in the Pacific, supporting the Korean War cease fire. Finishing the deployment in May 1954, the squadron transitioned to the FJ-3 Fury and moved to Carrier Air Wing Four. While in Jacksonville, Ray met his future wife, Marilyn, and they married in January 1955, beginning their 70-plus year marriage.
After a year of turn around training, Ray again deployed in May 1955 aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11), another straight-deck carrier, to the Mediterranean Sea. Ray departed the squadron at the end of that deployment, reporting to General Line School in September 1955. At the completion of that curriculum, he next reported to the advanced jet training command as an instructor. Ray was also part of the Fleet Introduction Program in May–August 1957 for the T2V Shooting Star (later re-designated to the T-1A SeaStar) as a carrier-capable trainer.
In September 1959 Ray reported to COMNAVAIRLANT in Norfolk, VA, for three months as part of the landing signal officer (LSO) training program. He indicated that he was able to fly the F-8 Crusader, A-4 Skyhawk, A-3D Skywarrior, and F9F-8T Cougar during that period. In January 1960 he joined Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) as the staff LSO, deploying again aboard USS Intrepid (now an angled-deck carrier) in August 1960–February 1961 for a Mediterranean Sea deployment. He joined the VF-33 Tarsiers, also part of CVW-6, in January 1961, serving as an LSO and Maintenance Officer, where he flew the F-8 Crusader. This was a busy tour, with the squadron deploying again in August 1961–March 1962 aboard Intrepid for another Mediterranean Sea deployment, and then on 3 August–11 October 1962 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) to the Mediterranean Sea. On 19 October 1962 the ship/carrier air wing team deployed to the Caribbean Sea in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, returning home in December 1962. After a short-lived rest, the team deployed in February 1963 for a seven-month Mediterranean Sea deployment, with Ray departing mid-deployment in May for his next assignment to the Naval War College, Newport, RI, as a junior war college student and where he concurrently earned a master’s degree.
In June 1964 Ray began his first tour in the Pentagon, joining the OPNAV staff in the Strategic Plans for Latin America office. Completing this two-year tour in June 1966, he reported to the VF-124 Gunfighters at NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA, the fleet replacement squadron for the F-8, serving as an instructor pilot and as the Operations and Executive Officer. During that tour he helped develop the first low altitude (5,000 feet) air-to-air gunnery training tactics for the squadron. With his selection for command, Ray reported to the VF-191 Satan’s Kittens, also located at NAS Miramar, in October 1968 to begin his XO/CO tour. Flying the F-8J, the squadron deployed aboard USS Oriskany (CVA-34) from April–November 1969 to the Vietnam War, where Ray flew 97 combat missions over Vietnam. During his time in the squadron and in command, the squadron earned back-to-back AIRPAC Battle “E” awards. Completing his successful command tour in June 1970, Ray reported to the National War College as a student for one year. In July 1971 he became the Operations Officer on USS Saratoga (CVA 60), home ported in Mayport, FL, joining the ship a month into deployment. The ship had deployed in June 1971 for a Mediterranean Sea deployment, via Scotland and the North Sea for exercises. She returned home the last day of October 1971. After a fairly short turnaround, Saratoga deployed in April 1972 for the Vietnam War, arriving on Yankee Station a month later. In the midst of this long deployment (returning home in February 1973), Ray transitioned to the staff of Carrier Group Six in September 1972, also serving as the Operations Officer. Completing that tour in August 1974, Ray became the Commanding Officer of NS Mayport, FL, that same month, serving in command until June 1976.
Ray began his second tour in the Pentagon in July 1976, again on the OPNAV staff, now as the Head of Naval Aircraft & Weapons Requirements (OPNAV-506). In that billet he oversaw numerous programs including AIM-9 Sidewinder and AMRAAM improvement/introduction and was deeply involved in efforts to procure new engines for the F-14. After two years, he then assumed the job of OPNAV-50B, Deputy Naval Air Operations. Leaving the Pentagon after three years, Ray reported to NAS Miramar, CA, as the Commanding Officer in July 1979, serving there for two years. He retired from active duty on 31 August 1981.
In his 30-year Naval Aviation career, Ray flew over 4,000 total hours, over 3,600 in jets, had 623 carrier arrested landings, in jets on straight-deck and angled-deck carriers, and had 97 combat missions over Vietnam. He also had three tours in aviation command. He earned two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and three Individual Air Medals. He was on the leading edge of jet aircraft in Naval Aviation beginning with his first fleet tour, no doubt establishing lessons that still hold true today. He was a pioneer in many respects. To use Ray’s words to summarize, he flew all models of the F-8 and “survived”!
After retiring from the Navy, Ray became President at the O’Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt Armoring Company (OHEAC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company provides armored vehicles for the Secret Service, State Department, CIA, U.S. President, and foreign heads of state. After completing this career, Ray and Marilyn settled in Melbourne, FL.
Ray is survived by his wife of 70-plus years Marilyn, three sons, Ray III, Mike and Pat, his daughters-in-law, Julie and Sherry, his grandchildren, Ray, Christie, Jack and Ray IV, and his great-grandchildren, Charlie and Emilia. There will be a burial Mass at 1100 on Saturday, 23 August 2025 at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 5655 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, FL. The interment ceremony will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 S. U.S. Highway 1, Rockledge, FL. A reception will follow at the Gardens. |
