WILLIAM H. DONOVAN, JR., CDR, USN
William Donovan, Jr. '86
Lucky Bag
From the 1986 Lucky Bag:
William H. Donovan
Nunda, New York
Bill emerged from deep in the bad woods of NW N.Y. His 1st claim to fame was looking like Howdy-Doody and the poster child to a certain clinic. The firsties loved him — thank God he could wrestle, but he doesn't take a karate kick too well. It's amazing he stayed out of trouble, his roommates attracted it but Bill didn't get away unplucked. hope you don't throw a burning dummy onto the deck of a ship! For all his hard work Bill could party. He was the tap-master P. year and had many bashes at T & K's following. Keep up that professional attitude. Good luck in P-cola and beyond! RPG
William H. Donovan
Nunda, New York
Bill emerged from deep in the bad woods of NW N.Y. His 1st claim to fame was looking like Howdy-Doody and the poster child to a certain clinic. The firsties loved him — thank God he could wrestle, but he doesn't take a karate kick too well. It's amazing he stayed out of trouble, his roommates attracted it but Bill didn't get away unplucked. hope you don't throw a burning dummy onto the deck of a ship! For all his hard work Bill could party. He was the tap-master P. year and had many bashes at T & K's following. Keep up that professional attitude. Good luck in P-cola and beyond! RPG
Loss
William was killed in action on September 11, 2001 when Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. He was a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff.
Memorial
From The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial:
I’m Still Here
Written in loving memory of William Donovan, CDR, United States Navy by USNA ’86 Classmate Jim NobleAs the fires burned, and people cried, I only can imagine The fear you felt, and now, the void, what seems like endless pain. The answers that we all do seek, will not come very easy. For in this world, a senseless act, there is truly no gain.
As you struggle with what lessons come from acts that seem so cruel, And you wonder what to tell the kids, and how to ease your fear, I ask you, please, to keep in mind, though truly not so simple, While it seems as though I’ve left you, dear, the truth is I’m still here.
I’m still here. In the laughter of the children, in the candle burning bright. I’m still here. In the passing of the seasons, and the change from day to night. I’m still here. In defense of our great nation, in the willingness to fight. I’m still here. In the passion of this country, in resolve to make things right.
Though the house I’m sure seems quiet, since the absence of my voice. You long to feel my touch again, or maybe see me smile. The seas have never seemed so rough, and now I’ve left your side. Though maybe not to hold your hand, I’m still here all the while.
In the blooming of the flowers, in the lending of a hand. In the cooling breeze, the passing sunset, in the beauty of the land. In the tender loving moment, when you’re hugging all our kids, Look close into their eyes, my dear, and you’ll see I am here.
I’m still here. In the laughter of the children, in the candle burning bright. I’m still here. In the acts of random kindness, and the change from day to night. I’m still here. In defense of our great nation, in the willingness to fight. I’m still here. In the passion of this country, in resolve to make things right.
We learned when freedom is at risk, we all must lend a hand, In lessons taught in distant lands, by heroes of our past. While the acts of some may cut us down, we can’t let evil win. Swords of justice, be so swift, this darkness cannot last.
And when we finally reach the calm and peace is then restored, Please let the kids know, how I love them, how much they were adored. And as for you, my friend, my lover, as you seek to bring me near, Remember what I’ve said to you, forever I am here.
Remembrances
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's updated 9/11 page:
Bill had a way of removing stress in any situation. I remember the first couple of dress parades in the fall of our Plebe year—Bill was near the back of 13th Company. As the Brigade officers began their movement to honor the visiting dignitaries, I heard what sounded like Bill Murray's character from Caddy Shack—imagine as the Brigade officers reached for their sword, Bill said, in the Murray voice, 'I think he's going to use the nine iron ...' and as the sword salute followed through, 'Ah, he got all of that one...it's a Cinderella story.' We all laughed enough that our covers moved a little too much and our parade grades weren't that great, but our Company Officer Major Noto seemed to go with the Class of 1986 finding its place in the Brigade. Bill embodied our 13th Company family with the Class of 1986: easy going, a hard worker and friends with everyone. Christopher Atwell '86
From The Democrat and Chronicle on September 16, 2001:
At the Pentagon, Cmdr. William Howard Donovan Jr, 37, the father of three young children, could not be found.
Known as "Billy," Donovan grew up in Nunda, Livingston County, graduating from Keshequa Central School and enrolling in the U.S. Naval Academy.
His picture is on 14 pages of the 1982 school yearbook, Images.
There he is: as president of the Key Club, as a member of the National Honor Society, as a wrestler, as the winner of the D.A.R. and Bausch & Lomb awards, as the most likely to succeed.
In nearly all the pictures even the wrestling pose where he might have faked a menacing growl he looks at the camera with a hint of a smile.
Cindy Schmitt, 47, of Geneseo, one of Donovan's teachers, remembers him as impish. When you saw him, you just wanted to give him a hug, she said.
When she learned that Donovan was off to the Naval Academy, the teacher had teased him about it, saying that it could be difficult, that the military was serious stuff.
Billy Donovan smiled. He knew what he wanted to do.
From John Martinez '84 via email on October 24, 2024:
I was 2 years ahead of Bill Donovan in 13th Company at the Academy. We were in the same squad for at least a semester. I remember Bill as a wonderful young man. Even as a plebe he made all of our days better. I don't have any other particular stories, not because there aren't any, but because I don't have a good memory. But I do very clearly remember Bill Donovan as a kind, extremely competent, and endlessly positive person.
Other Information
From the Naval Academy Alumni Association's 9/11 page:
Commander Donovan was born in Nunda, NY, and was commissioned at the Naval Academy with the Class of 1986. Commander Donovan served in Patrol Squadrons 11, 31 and 1, as well as serving aboard GEORGE WASHINGTON. Commander Donovan had been on the Chief of Naval Operations staff for a little over a year on 11 September. He was in the Pentagon when Flight 77 crashed and was among those missing and presumed dead.
From researcher Kathy Franz: "William graduated from Keshequa High School in 1982 and won a D.A.R. award and a Regent’s scholarship. He played baseball and soccer."
William is buried in the Naval Academy Cemetery; he is also listed at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the National September 11 Memorial.
Photographs
All photographs except the first are from his high school yearbook.
Memorial Hall Error
William is not listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. All active duty service members killed or wounded in the September 11 attacks were awarded the Purple Heart Medal pursuant to section 1129a of Title 10, U.S.C., which was passed into law in 2014.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
