Donnell/Wangeman Memorial

Story:   It's been nearly 51 year's, on April 21, 1967, Grumman Aerospace Corp lost two of it's test pilot's, 
Ralph "Dixie" Donnell & Charles "Buck" Wangeman. During what seemed to  be a routine test flight
 of the F-111B , although very risky & potentially dangerous, departed runway one four, as it ascended, a malfunction occurred in the aircraft which resulted in both engines being choked off of precious air,  stalled then crashed, taking the lives of both pilot's at the Grumman/Navy assembly & fight test facitlity in Calverton NY.

     Military career:  Both Dixie & Buck were military combat pilots. Donnell was an Army Air Corp P-51D pilot, WW2. He was captured by the Nazi's, imprisoned in Stalag Luft 3 as a POW for a little over a year and was forced in what is known as "The March" . Buck graduated from Naval Academy Annapolis in 1960.  He flew the F-8 Crusader in Vietnam. Buck was  awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Commendation Medal w / combat V and gold star, National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

       Test pilots:   After their military careers, they went on to become test pilot's at Grumman Aerospace Corp where they tested the most advanced aircraft & weapons systems of the time. The aviation & weapon systems technology they garnered from the F111B program was eventually refined & integrated into the legendary F-14 Tomcat program.

   Their memory:  The memory of both these courageous individuals were not forgotten by their families, moreover, by the many Grummanites who worked alongside them. Now it's time to honor and celebrate their lives, for all to know who these men were  and what their sacrifice and contribution's were to our nation. Their story need's to be known.
  
    Monument: The past 3 plus year's, an effort has been ongoing  working with town official's to create a memorial with a bronze plaque affixed to a beautiful boulder at Grumman memorial park in Calverton NY.  A boulder was selected at a local quarry which was donated by the company based in Calverton NY. I am so grateful for everyone coming together as a whole to make this memorial possible, of which has been a humbling journey for me and was proud to  be part of.

  Contribution:    Please help with your generosity, bringing this memorial to fruition. No matter how big or small your contribution, it will be greatly appreciated.  The quotes from several monument companies have varied. I have been working closely with one company on Long Island who is giving us the best value of roughly the target  price, plus/minus, which I hope will cover the cost of the plaque. Thank You for your consideration.


      Note: If you may have any questions, concerns or ideas, I am available to address them. I can be reached through private messaging on Facebook.