Town of South Windsor

The SCHOW-DONNELLY AWARD

The SCHOW-DONNELLY AWARD was commissioned in 2002 as a team award for exemplary “service before self” in honor of Lt. Col. (ret) K.C. SCHOW, Jr. and Major (ret) Michael DONNELLY who flew formation together as combat fighter pilots during the Persian Gulf War. Those who fly in formation together find their lives inextricably intertwined. They are bonded together by discipline, dedication, competence, and the absolute necessity for trust and mutual support. In combat, as in life, people who seek to serve in adversity knowingly accept increased risk and personal sacrifice in the belief that they are serving a cause greater than themselves. Each knows that by working as a team (a formation) they exponentially amplify their effectiveness and probability of success.

Every formation has a designated leader, and every great combat flight leader depends on the wingman not only to protect the formation, but also to be capable of taking the lead at any moment; in any situation. Combat wingmen are leaders in their own right as they are expected to simultaneously follow, think, and lead, while each member of the formation is focused on supporting the other, getting the mission accomplished, and returning with honor to fly and fight another day. The SCHOW-DONNELLY AWARD by this right is presented as a team award to people who have exemplified these ideals.

Lieutenant Colonel K.C. Schow Jr., (USAF ret.) and Major Michael Donnelly, (USAF ret.) flew thirty-five (35) F-16 missions together as lead and wingman during the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Each earned 4 Air Medals, and Lt. Col. Schow earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for their service in defense of our nation during combat. Lt. Col. Schow and Major Donnelly’s service to others and the nation did not stop after the war.

Because the actions and contributions of Lt. Col. Schow and Major Donnelly exemplify “Service Before Self,” the Schow-Donnelly Award is commissioned in the form of a falcon statue. The falcon represents the F-16 Falcon, the airplane Lt. Col. Schow and Major Donnelly flew during the Persian Gulf War. A tear is shed from the eye of the falcon for the terminal illness each hero faced in the prime of their life, and the award is given to those who exemplify “Service Before Self” to the United States and the community they serve.

source: Reprinted with permission of www.vtf.org a web site dedicated to promoting ALS awareness. Please take some time to visit that web site.