MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Lee (47th), Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES MARINE FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM J. DONNELLY IV OF PICAYUNE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN ACTION IN THE HELMAND PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2010, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Marine 1st Lieutenant William J. Donnelly IV, age 27, of Picayune, Mississippi, was lost in action on November 25, 2010, while conducting dismounted combat operations against enemy forces in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Donnelly was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California. This was Lt. Donnelly's first combat deployment; and
WHEREAS, a memorial service was held in front of the Picayune Veterans Memorial at the historic City Hall Building, timed to coincide with Lt. Donnelly's military burial at Arlington, Virginia. A funeral service was held at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, prior to graveside services at Arlington. Lt. General John F. Kelly, Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve, presented awards to the Donnelly family before Scripture readings and a family tribute by Lt. J.G. Joseph Messere, and a eulogy by Lt. David D. Kim; and
WHEREAS, the 27-year-old Donnelly was born in Maryland. He had been living in Carlsbad, California, with his wife, Linsey Becker Donnelly. A Picayune Memorial High School graduate, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2003 and served with the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, out of Gulfport, Mississippi. He transferred to the Navy Reserve as a midshipman to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He served as Regimental Commander over the regiment of Midshipmen his senior year. After graduation in 2008, Donnelly was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps with a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering. Donnelly was deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan on September 25th. He was lost in action Thanksgiving Day while leading his platoon in dismounted infantry operations; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Donnelly was proud to be a Marine and was known by all for his professionalism and caring spirit. He was respected by all who knew him and loved by everyone. He was always there for his family and friends, no matter what time or place. He will be missed; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his wife, Donnelly is survived by his parents, Mr. William Donnelly III and Mrs. Vicki Donnelly, and two sisters, Lieutenant J.G. Melissa Weed and Rebecca Donnelly; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 74 soldiers or sailors with strong Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, William Donnelly was a loving husband and son who is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. To a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a wife or parent, a fallen soldier means a husband or son who won't be coming home. Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who was the guardian of civilization as we know it today;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and mourn the loss of United States Marine 1st Lieutenant William J. Donnelly IV of Picayune, Mississippi, who was lost in action on November 25, 2010, (Thanksgiving Day) while conducting dismounted combat operations against enemy forces in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family in honor of their sacrifice and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Lt. Donnelly and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.