Donnelly, James, YNC

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
In a crazy way it was a spur of the moment decision. I had a Chimney Sweep business in the Catskills and my sister was going to take the Navy test. She asked me to take the test with her so she would be less nervous and I did. When the recruiter called the next day to ask if I would like to join I immediately said yes and a month later December 15, 1985 I was a proud member of the United States Navy.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
After Boot Camp in Orlando, Florida and Yeoman 'A' School in Meridian, Mississippi, I started my career in the Warhawks of VA-97 based in Lemoore, Ca and deployed on the USS CARL VINSON out of Alemeda, Ca. I completed 2 and 1/2 WESTPACS numerous deployments to Fallon, NV, RIMPAC exercises and uncounted cruise workups. From there I participated in Operation Deep Freeze in McMurdo Antarctica, an experience few are able to claim.

Next came HQ U.S. Forces Europe in Stuttgart, Germany where I met my wife (Sylvie from Antwerp, Belgium) on a ski trip in France. I took her to the U.S. for a couple of years being stationed at the Navy War College in Newport, RI and then headed back to Europe for tours at Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy; HQ U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London,UK; the USS EMORY S LAND in La Maddellina, Italy; Naval Support Force LaMadellina, Italy and finished my career with a NATO command STRIKFORSOUTH in Naples, Italy.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I never participated directly in combat operations but stood guard during on the CARL VINSON outside the Persian Gulf, provided communications during the Kosovo operations, tended to submarines in Souda Bay, Crete during Iraqi Freedom and deployed many times to ensure Freedom of the Seas, provide support to countries in need in West Africa and show the face of American freedom to the world.

My time in the Navy was spent during world changing events and to have played a part in trying to bring peace and democracy to all nations will forever make me proud.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
Operation Deep Freeze probably provided the most enduring memories due to its uniqueness but Sixth Fleet in Gaeta was definitely my favorite station during my career. Its location in Italy, our deployments to the Black Sea to watch as nations emerged from the era of Communism, our forward deployed status as a communications platform for Europe and the Mideast, and the close friendships that were made with both my shipmates and local Italian friends was special.

I don't think I ever had a least favorite but being the YNC onboard USS EMORY S LAND was definitely the most challenging.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
People. Young men and women from completely different places and life experiences all committed to the same goal of showing the face of the United States of America to the world. There is nothing like standing on deck a U.S. ship as you ride the sea at night, looking up into the immensity of the Universe above and knowing that you are doing something for yourself, your country, and for the world at large.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
I guess my final medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for 25 years of service to our great nation makes me the proudest of my efforts on behalf of my country and my shipmates.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
My Antarctic Service Medal with the Winter Over device is special for it was an arduous but memorable tour.

My Shellback Certificate is special for its history and meaning.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
There are so many people who had a positive impact on my career and life that to single out one would seem to diminish the others. That said, there are special thanks to YNCM Valerie Johnston, ISC Harry Bussey, YNC Mickey Padron, YNC Juliet Rose, and Commander Robert Johns for always being there for me.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
Taking a tour of the Greek ruins in Sicily with Paul Plunkett and others. Paul kept asking the guide, "Didn't they build anything that lasted?" and the poor guide looking at him with confusion until he finally found the humor in it.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
I have joined the Foreign Service as an Office Management Specialist. My time as a Yeoman serves me well and my experiences of traveling the world are continuing.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
Not a current member of any military associations but keep in touch with my shipmates from my entire career through different web applications.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
Pride, the meaning of self-sacrifice, the courage of my fellow service members are things that are hard to put into words but are with me every day through my memories of 25 wonderful years in the service of my nation.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Work hard. Enjoy every new experience. Use your MWR offers in every port visit. Get to know and care for every shipmate you can for you will learn valuable lessons from each one. Participate in Community relations projects whenever you are able to for they are an immense help to others and provide direct personal gratification for helping others.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
It has helped revive many personal memories and friendships and enabled me to keep track of and in touch with many of the people who have had invaluable influence in my life.

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