Bernard (Barney) Marcus MacDonald (1922-2001) was born in Anaconda,
Montana and was working as a machinist at the Anaconda Company smelter
when he joined the Navy in 1941. He received his wings at Pensacola as a
carrier pilot of his Avenger torpedo bomber, and served in the Pacific
near Formosa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was his fleet’s champion middleweight boxer.
Barney and “Spud” Dira were married in 1946, and they had six sons. Barney
attended Montana State College and graduated from the University of
Montana. He was a very successful high school coach, principal, and
beloved teacher. After his retirement from teaching in Ripon, California he
worked in real estate and spent many summer days fly-fishing in western
Montana with his sons and friends.
Barney MacDonald flew a TBM
Avenger with the Fishhook Squadron VC-97. The photo above was taken
over Okinawa.
The
album shown on the left contains documents, certificates and other related
information contributed by the Bernard MacDonald family.
A painting by LT Bernard
MacDonald found by his family in 2016. The painting depicts LT
Bernard MacDonald and crew during operations over Okinawa. A Dauntless
Helldiver is shown attacking a Japanese aircraft carrier.
