WALTER I. MCDONELL, JR., LTJG, USN
Walter McDonell, Jr. '56
Lucky Bag
From the 1956 Lucky Bag:
WALTER IRVING MCDONELL, JR.
Portland, Oregon
Yielding early to the magnetic call of the sea. Mac gave up his brilliant career in the ROTC at Oregon State College and quietly announced his arrival at USNA. In contrast to his arrival, he headlined his name through Plebe summer by battling his way to summer boxing champ. Dismayed at the thought of cauliflower ears, Mac retired from the ring when academic year rolled around, and turned his pugilistic spirit toward promoting the company sport programs. His welcome eagerness to discard the hooks almost any evening didn't prevent him from maintaining an enviable academic standard.
WALTER IRVING MCDONELL, JR.
Portland, Oregon
Yielding early to the magnetic call of the sea. Mac gave up his brilliant career in the ROTC at Oregon State College and quietly announced his arrival at USNA. In contrast to his arrival, he headlined his name through Plebe summer by battling his way to summer boxing champ. Dismayed at the thought of cauliflower ears, Mac retired from the ring when academic year rolled around, and turned his pugilistic spirit toward promoting the company sport programs. His welcome eagerness to discard the hooks almost any evening didn't prevent him from maintaining an enviable academic standard.
Obituary
From USNA '56:
Walt was born in Chicago, IL, and lived in the Midwest until settling in Portland, Oregon, for his high school years. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1951 and attended Oregon State University prior to being appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Plebe summer Walt quickly got into the swing of things by becoming the plebe boxing champion for his weight. He then retired from boxing and applied himself to academics, inter-mural sports, and developing many good friends. Being outgoing, energetic, creative and always ready to help others, Walt did well as a Midshipman.
Upon graduation Walt selected Naval Aviation, completed flight training at Pensacola and then joined VA-212 at NAS Moffett Field flying FJ’s. In 1959 he completed his first Western Pacific deployment and in mid-1960 was in the final stages of preparing for his second deployment. On 13 July, 1960, while practicing “night bounces” at NAAF Crows Landing, Walt was killed in a midair with another aircraft in the pattern. Walt had volunteered to check out the other aircraft that had been damaged by hitting a runway light on its take off roll.
Walt is interred in Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
He graduated from Franklin High School in 1951. Masque and Gavel, president; Swimming Team; Honor Society; Almanac yearbook, assistant editor; Oregon State. In August 1951, Walter was nominated to the Naval Academy by Rep. Angell (R-Ore.)
Note: Walter's middle name is listed at Find A Grave as "Ignatius;" all other documents found (including USNA Register and Officer Register) have Irving.
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