“Fighter pilot is an attitude.It is cockiness.It is aggressiveness.It is self-confidence.It is a streak of rebelliousness, and it is competitiveness.But there’s something else – there’s a spark.There’s a desire to be good.To do well; in the eyes of your peers, and in your own mind.”
General Robin Olds USAAF/USAF and “Triple Ace”
Image: valormilitarytimes.com
Image: American Beagle Squadron Association
US Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) UK DFC US Air Medal
One of Framingham’s unsung WWII heroes was Lieutenant Colonel Norman Leroy McDonald of the US Army Air Force (USAAF). McDonald flew high performance fighter aircraft right up to the war’s end in Europe,amassing a total of 249 combat missions. Born in Framingham on 21 January 1918, he lived at 13 Gorman Road (off Concord Street).He graduated from Framingham High School in 1935.He was a top athlete,playing football,baseball, and hockey.Following graduation,he attended the University of Carolina for one year,where he self-admitted to having majored in “Football.”He subsequently returned to Framingham where he was employed at Dennison Manufacturing.In 1940,he completed the U.S. Government funded Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) in Framingham.At that time,the town operated two airports and was the first in Massachusetts to host CPTP.Through this unique program, he received his Civilian Pilots License.In April of 1941, Norm enlisted in the Army Flying Cadet Program.He was awarded his pilot wings in December of that same year.
In the summer of 1942,Norm’s squadron transitioned to the sleek and elegant British Supermarine Spitfire.His Fighter Group deployed to North Africa and the Mediterranean for much of 1942 and 1943.On 03 April 1943, Captain McDonald became an Ace with three victories on that day (five required to achieve Ace status).He departed that theater in October of 1943 for a stateside tour of duty.At that point in time,he had seven and one-half confirmed aerial victories,making him one of the very few Americans to achieve Ace status in the British Spitfire.He returned to Europe in August of 1944 where he flew the long range, P-51 Mustang.In 1944 and 1945,he chalked up four additional victories,bringing his total to 11.5.Having shot down 10 enemy aircraft,he had now reached “Double Ace” status. At war’s end, Norm would leave the service as a Lieutenant Colonel.For his valiant efforts, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (twice),the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal (with 26 subsequent awards).
Upon his return to Framingham,Norm quickly became a stalwart in the local business and real estate communities.He also continued to remain engaged in noteworthy public service and selflessly pursued civic volunteerism.He was a co-owner of Westboro Speedway (on Rt. 9),an active member of the Framingham realtors community during a period of explosive,post-war population growth,served as the Chair of the Framingham Housing Authority (where he was instrumental in purchasing 52 acres of land from the state – the Muster Fields – for a Framingham Veterans Housing Project),purchased The Villa Restaurant in Wayland (which he owned and operated for 17 years),and was a “fixture” at all Lions Club charitable events. Norm passed away on the 22nd of June 2002.In accordance with his desires, and fully consistent with his life’s accomplishments and unique personality,his ashes were spread over Framingham from an airplane.
Images: American Air Museum
TO A BRAVE MAN **
McDonald is a grand old name
It fits you very nicely
In your Air Plane Game
Popping Stukas on the nose
Is no job where you can repose
You are sure doing your part
Keeping the Germans from getting too smart.
We here in Dennisons Busy Factory
Know your record is plus satisfactory
Having read of your valiant doings
And about Stukas blown to ruins
All America now knows your name
Captain Norman L. McDonald U.S.A. Air Force
And we are more than proud of you,
But here in Framingham
It’s Norman McDonald to you.
D.M. Hamblett
Boston Ordnance District
Inspector at Dennison Plant
**Provided by Sandra (McDonald) Ellis. Written circa mid-1943.
Norm McDonald’s WWII Confirmed Aerial Victories (11.5)
22 March 1943-Two Junkers Ju-88 Multi-role aircraft (Spitfire)
01 April 1943- 1/2 Ju-88 (victory shared with a second pilot) (Spitfire)
03 April 1943-Three Junkers Ju-87 “Stuka” Ground Attack aircraft (Spitfire)
25 April 1943-One Focke-Wulf Fw-190 Fighter aircraft (Spitfire)
01 August 1943-One Dornier Do-17 Medium bomber(Spitfire)
05 November 1944-One Messerschmitt Me-109 Fighter aircraft (Mustang)
02 April 1945-Two Me-109 Fighter aircraft (Mustang)
10 April 1945-One Me-109 Fighter aircraft (Mustang)
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