24 May 2001 Verne Donnelly was Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VA-35 while I was a member of the squadron from 1970-1972. Verne was an outstanding person, Navy Pilot, Naval Officer, and Skipper. He and Ken Buell were flying together the day they were shot down. I will never forget the day I received the news of their loss. Both were good friends and squadron mates. They are greatly missed by friends, family and shipmates.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On September 17, 1972, CDR Verne G. Donnelly, pilot, and LCDR Kenneth R. Buell, B/N, launched from the USS America (CVA-66) on a combat mission targeted near Hai Duong, North Vietnam. As the aircraft was about eight miles west of that city, it went down. Both crewmen were declared Missing in Action. Neither was acknowledged by the North Vietnamese as captured, and they did not return in the POW release of 1973. On February 5, 1991, the U.S. announced that remains returned by the Vietnamese had been positively identified as being those of Verne G. Donnelly. After 25 years, Donnelly was finally home. As of 25 May 2001, Ken Buell is still missing.

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