James C. Donahue An America Hero Dies At Age 70
This is how Jim Donahue looked when I knew him. We grew up together on the west side of Buffalo. We both were in the same classes in School 77 and then went on the Grover H.S.
Jim was a very quiet kid in those days. I never really understood how he felt being Irish in a school filled with Sicilians and Italians.
In 5th grade the school had a dance in the gym. The prettiest girl in school was a girl named Marylou. I was going to ask her to be my date for this dance. She told me that Jimmy Donahue had already asked her and she said yes. Jim may have been a quiet young boy but he was a mover with the girls.
Jim joined the service after graduating from Grover Cleveland in 1960 and became a member of the Green Berets. When the war ended he went back twice on top secret missions in search of missing prisoners of war.
He was a recipient of the second highest honor the Army can bestow on a solider, the Silver Star, and three Bronze Stars, a Purple heart and two Air Medals.
Jim wrote three books which are in our Public library. ”No Greater Love,” which was re-titled ”Blackjack 34″, “Mobile Guerrilla Force”and “Blackjack 33.”
He loved his country and gave his all to protect it.
Today I am filled with sadness. I will miss James C. Donahue. He gave give me a model to measure other people by.
Jim I will have you and your family in my prayers. I was very lucky to have you as a friend.
Jim Tricoli, Editor of Amhersttimes
Frank Belliotti Said,
March 7, 2013 @ 7:28 pm
I knew him later in life. he did some work in Buffalo and when I rode the bus with me we talked and he told of his parachute drops with the blind straped to him. Soft spoken but you knew there was more to this guy. He did volunteer work as well. You would think that a guy like him would live forever. I liked him as aperson.
jjtric Said,
March 19, 2013 @ 3:41 am
Jim had the integrity and toughness of any man I knew. He never backed down from anyone or anything if he knew he was right. He was a man who faced any challenge. I truly will miss talking to him. Love to his family and everyone who will miss him as much as I will.
Jim Tricoli
Sarah Hanson Said,
March 20, 2013 @ 1:14 pm
Thanks for your article, Jim. It was a wonderful surprise for us. I am Jim Donahue’s daughter. It was really nice hearing your story, which is a memory that only you could have shared. We miss him, as well. However, I feel the same way that you do– every man I meet is compared to him… and often does not measure up. He set the bar about as high as it could go.