Veteran of the Day graphic created by Emma Catlett for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is United States Army Air Corps and Air Force Veteran Howard C. McDonald. Howard served during World War II from 1940 to 1945.
Howard C. McDonald enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in September 1939. At the time, he was studying at the University of Florida. When he enlisted, he was sent to Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Ill. and later was sent to work as a tech sergeant in Communications. Part of his job involved the use of skip bombing systems, which are systems that enable people to judge how a bomb dropped by planes may skip across the water and sink ships. During the war, Howard spent a total of 33 months overseas, most of which were spent stationed on the island of New Guinea. After serving there, Howard was stationed at Hendricks Field in Sebring, Fla., where he got a job directing the radio department. Soon after that, he married his wife and worked at her family’s canning company, The Royal Oceana Can Company. Located in Michigan, Howard worked as the CEO for 35 years before retiring. In September 2017, Howard passed away.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
Contributors:
Graphic designer: Emma Catlett
Editor: Kaylee Hogsed
Fact Checker: Jordan Gossett
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The family of Howard C. McDonald thanks Christine Perrera, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Blog’s Contributors, and those who honored my father’s service in the Army Air Corps in WWII. We are very proud of our father and his military service. He passed away at 99 years old in September 2017. We miss him every day. Thank you for your interest and honoring our national heroes.
Howard was with the 5th Army Air Corp 3rd bomb group.8th squadron. They were the first ones to arrive in New Guinea. 75 percent off his squadron did not survive the war. They were heavily involved in modifying existing aircraft to meet the needs of the South Pacific campaign. Europe first set a situation of lack of equipment and staff. They did persevere eventually at great loss of life. He also was a great father. Howard Brian McDonald
We honor the service of United States Army Air Corps and Air Force Veteran Howard C. McDonald.