Vietnam War Hero Remembered With Bridge Dedication In Newtown Twp.

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Huey helicopter roared overhead transporting those gathered below on Wrights Road Tuesday morning back to the jungles of Vietnam 56 years ago.

The group had gathered on a quiet stretch of Wrights Road to dedicate county bridge No. 36 in memory of U.S. Army Warrant Officer William Herbert McDonnell of Newtown, who died when the Huey he was commanding was struck by enemy fire on Jan 24, 1969.

The lost crew also included pilot WO Scott C. Griswold, crew chief SP4 Bruce W. Westmoreland, and gunner SP4 John O. Tafoya.

Applause filled the air as the Huey flew overhead and green smoke enveloped the roadway, a signal from the ground that the troops below are friendly.

A Huey helicopter believed to have been piloted by Bill McDonnell flies over the bridge dedication ceremony on Tuesday. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Ed Preston is on a mission to dedicate a county bridge to each of the 136 young men from Bucks County who served and gave their lives in Vietnam. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo addresses the gathering. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Saluting the fallen. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Brian McDonnell next to the sign bearing his brother's name on Wrights Road. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“That sound is very distinct,” said Ed Preston of the Huey flyover, which he arranged as part of the bridge dedication. “In 1969 the 170th attack company, the Buccaneers, had seven gunships in its company. One was lost when Billy’s helicopter went down. One that survived just flew over our head.
We are 99.9 percent sure that Bill piloted that helicopter in Vietnam in combat,” he told the gathering.

“We thank the Liberty War Birds Association for coming out today and sharing in William’s memory.
“There’s nothing more powerful than a helicopter.

“Billy’s story was incredible,” said Preston. “A warrant officer at 19, not only in charge of his helicopter, but also the three other helicopters that were engaged that day. That just seems completely unbelievable,” said Preston, who is on a mission to dedicate a county bridge to each of the
136 young men from Bucks County who served and gave their lives in Vietnam.

McDonnell, who grew up on the streets of Newtown playing basketball at the courts at Chancellor Street school and attending Council Rock High School, died a hero that day in 1969 as he drew fire
away from the troops on the ground, according to Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo.

“Billy is buried not far from here in the Newtown Cemetery,” said Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie. “He grew up in Newtown and it’s very conceivable that he traveled over this road at some point in his life and over this bridge.

“It’s important to think of the years that Billy did not have,” continued Harvie. “He didn’t have the chance to grow old. He did not have a chance to raise a family. He didn’t have a chance to come back here and maybe watch his grandkids play football at Council Rock or softball. But we are here thanks to him and thanks to the sacrifice of many others. It’s not just our obligation to dedicate memorials like this, but to think about the lives we are living. Are we living a life that’s worthy of that sacrifice?”

Matt Allen, the director of Bucks County Veterans Affairs, read from a citation awarding McDonnell the Silver Star, the US military’s third highest decoration given for valor in combat. The citation details the heroic actions taken by the young man and his crew on that fateful day in 1969.

“Despite the hazardous terrain, Warrant Officer McDonnell deftly maneuvered his aircraft, giving his gunners maximum field of vision and at the same time avoiding enemy fire. Enemy fire, however, penetrated vital parts of the aircraft causing it to crash, mortally wounding Warrant Officer McDonnell. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon his unit and the US Army.”

Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Brian McDonnell next to the bridge and sign honoring his brother, Billy. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

McDonnell’s brother, Brian, shared memories of his older brother as the two grew up together on the streets of Newtown. “He was four-and-a-half years older, so hanging out with me wasn’t a big priority. He was always going somewhere or doing something."

They were raised by their parents, William and Eddie McDonnell. Eddie was a neonatal intensive care nurse at Doylestown Hospital for many years. She died in November 2016 at the age of 92. Their father was a World War II veteran who worked for AT&T and Bell Labs. He died on his 97th birthday in 2020.

William and Eddie raised four children - Billy, Brian, Patricia, and Craig - living first on Frost Lane and then later moving to Spring Garden Mill in Northampton Township.

"Billy can best be described as a Newtown boy - 100 percent," said his brother. "He attended grades kindergarten to six at the Chancellor Street School. Then he went to the old Council Rock High School, which has since been demolished."

Because of the age difference, Brian said it was often hard getting his brother's attention. So he took on an antagonist role, which seemed to work well. "It dawned on me that getting negative attention from him was better than getting no attention at all."

Brian shared stories about basketball pickup games at the Chancellor School and finally being invited to play with the bigger kids. Billy's advice for his younger brother: Don't shoot. That was all that Brian needed to hear. The first chance he had, he made a shot. The ball swished through the metal net, making the all too familiar "Cha-Ching" sound. "I ran up to Billy and I said, 'Cha-Ching,' and he broke out laughing. He couldn't help himself."

(Bucks County)

One of the sad realities of the loss, said his brother, was that the family only got to see him once after he graduated from high school and entered military training. "That was when he was given his wings in flight school. And then he was gone," said Brian. "So all my memories of him were from school days."

Brian said he's looking forward to the day when he'll see Billy again in heaven. "I'm coming for you and we're going to have us a game," he said.

Among those attending the dedication on Tuesday was one of Billy's friends from high school - Skip Scarborough - who remembers many car rides through Newtown as teenagers.

"Bill and I went to school together all the way through. In third grade, Bill said to me, 'Skip, all I want to do is fly a helicopter.' When we were out at recess and a helicopter flew overhead, he'd always say, 'One of these days it's going to be me.' He got his wish."

Scarborough remembered Billy as "very energetic. He loved playing sports. We hung around together and were constantly all over town. We'd ride up and down State Street. We'd go to Goodnoe Dairy Bar. He was easy to talk to. He was a good guy."