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Hero’s
legacy continues on
By
Leut Aaron Matzkows
161 Recce Sqn in Darwin has hosted the daughter of one of its most
famous sons nearly a quarter of a century after he was killed in
the Vietnam War.
Capt Lisa-Jo Laing, AACC, is the daughter of Capt Barry Donald,
a fixed wing pilot who flew for 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance
Flight in South Vietnam.
Capt Laing was welcomed to 161 Sqn by OC Maj Michael Potts and shown
around the squadron at RAAF Base Darwin.
Capt Barry Creig Donald had enlisted in the ARA on February 13,
1958.
Barry Donald was posted to 161 (Indep) Recce Flt in South Vietnam
from August until December 1968 and from June 10, to December 3,
1969.
On October 26, 1969, he accurately adjusted artillery fire on to
an occupied enemy bunker system.
To ascertain the effectiveness of the fire he then flew his aircraft
low over the target for a considerable time.
On finding further enemy in the camp he maintained close surveillance,
exposing himself to fire until such time as he could direct Vietnamese
troops to the objective.
Capt Donald regularly flew all types of missions in fixed wing aircraft
and acted as an observer in rotary wing aircraft.
He was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross on November
27, 1969, but the award cannot be made posthumously.
On the evening of December 3, Barry Donald had been flying a Porter
A14-686, with Alan Jellie as his passenger.
The aircraft took ground fire and crashed at the edge of the Binh
Ba rubber plantation. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots
were killed.
In June 1998, in the Vietnam End of War List, Barry Donald was posthumously
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
During her visit Capt Laing was taken for a helicopter flight over
the Darwin area by 161 Recce Sqn’s Lt Mark Overton.
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