The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-06-26

nary heroism in battle engagements
of Vera Cruz, April 81 and %,
1914; posted on the roof of the
Terminal Hotel and landing; estab-
lished a signal station there, and
day and night maintained communi-
cation between troops and ships at
this exposed post. He was continual
ly under fire. One man was killed
and three wounded at his side dur
ing the days. fighting. He showed
extraordinary heroism and striking
courage and maintained his station
in the highest degree of efficiency.
All signals got through, largely to
his heroic devotion to duty.
Captain Mcdonnell was the first
naval officer to loop a seaplane. He
instructed the famous Yale unit of
aviators during the World War !
and he made the first test of the
Davis machine gun on seaplanes
He also was the first naval officer
to design seaplane.
He is credited with being the
first American officer to make raid
fight over the Austro-Italian front
in the first World War. He was for
ward gunner in a plane piloted by
an Italian squadron commander. At
the time he was assigned by the
Navy Department to study French
and Italian war aviation.
Captain Mcdonnell resigned from
the navy In 1920 to enter the brok-
erage business. Last year he reen-
tered the navy with the rank of
lieutenant commander and was
quickly made a captain.
It was Major Mcdonnell who per-
suaded General Mcdonnell to follow
military career. General McDon-
nell was planning to lead the life
of a gentleman farmer, following
employment as clerk with the
United States Fidelity and Guar
anty Company in Baltimore, when
Major Mcdonnell suggested that he
take examinations for an army COM
mission.
After studying in the Signal
Corps school of aviation, he was
assigned to the First Aero Squadron
and went with the Pershing Punt
tive Expedition after Pancho Villa
in 1915. He also served in an avia-
ton unit in the last months of the
first World War. Returning to this
country he was instructor of mill
tary science and tactics at the Mas
sachusetts Institute of Technology
and attended the Command and
General STAR School in 1882 and
1888.
II was General Mcdonnell who
helped put acrobatic flying into the
army curriculum. When he learned
in 1915 that his brother, Edward
had looped a seaplane. General Nc
Connell Immediately attempted it,
and was the first army officer to per-
form the feat. He also showed army
flyers how to land at night on an
Illuminated field. He succeeded Ed.
die Stinson, civilian, as army in.
structor in acrobatic fighting during
the World War I days.
General Mcdonnell also has hunt
/ ed big game in Africa, trained field
dogs, painted with oils and pcca-
Isionally tries his hand at sculpture.
Mrs. vickery's son, Thomas, is q
product of the Gilman country
school and McDonogh school. He
had started a business career when
| he decided to enlist in the army.
What interests me most right
now, Mrs. Vickery said yesterday
sis where my Tommy is, haven't
heard from him for long time.
"But it's what we must expect in
war. Just the same. I'd like to know
where Tommy Isl.
Mrs. vickery, who lives at 12a
West Lanvale street, has Just passed
her FIRST aid examinations, Laugh
Iinsly. che saiA che \ not hlittlnl