Miscellaneous

New York State Supreme Court Justice Salvatore Martoche, Lt. Col Ivan Evans of Niagara University, Assemblymember Hoyt, Col. Cunningham and Assemblymember Schroeder with the Donovan portrait.

Click here to read Assemblymember Hoyt's comments

Click here to read the letter from the OSS society

Click here to read the OGS letter 

Click here to sign the OSS Society's petition to name the new Federal courthouse after General Donovan 

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Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) and Assemblymember Mark Schroeder (D-Buffalo) held a commemorative event today recognizing the 50^th anniversary of Buffalo native General William Donovan's death and commemorating his incredible legacy. The Assemblymen were joined by numerous veterans, Colonel Patrick J. Cunningham, and New York State Supreme Court Justice Salvatore Martoche, who read a letter from the OSS Society which thanked the Assemblymen for remembering "one of America's greatest patriots". 

Assemblymember Hoyt commented "General William Donovan is arguably one of Buffalo's most important native sons, not just on the national stage, but the international stage, and has left his mark on history in ways that continue to be felt today. I am proud to recognize his incredible legacy and to help ensure that his accomplishments continue to be recognized and understood by generations to come."

"Wild Bill Donovan grew up just a few blocks from the Naval and Servicemen's Park, in the close-knit Irish neighborhood known as the Old First Ward," said Assemblymember Schroeder.  "His courage, leadership, and undying love for his country took him to destinations all over the world, earning him another nickname given to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower - ‘The Last Hero.' "

General Donovan rose from Buffalo's Old First Ward to become one of the country's leading figures of the 20^th century.  After World War I, he returned to Buffalo to serve as the US Attorney for the Western Division.  During World War II, at President Roosevelt's direction, he founded and directed the Office of Strategic Services, which later became the Central Intelligence Agency.  After the war he was deeply involved in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, and an Ambassador to Thailand in the 1950's.

His exemplary military service was recognized by numerous awards and medals, and he is the only citizen to have earned the country's four highest awards: The Medal of Honor; the National Security Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal; and the Distinguished Service Cross. In addition to his numerous American military honors, he received several international commendations of note.

General Donovan died in 1959, and when the Donovan Building opened in 1962 it was dedicated in his honor. The event includes a rededication of the General's portrait and plaque, which previously hung in the General Donovan State Office Building and will now hang in the Naval and Servicemen's Park Museum until such time as a new building is dedicated in his name.

Colonel Patrick J. Cunningham, US Army Retired and Executive Director of the Naval and Servicemen's Park commented, "We are very pleased to accept these items on loan from the State of New York.  General Donovan is a very important Western New Yorker in the military history of our country, and it's important that our visitors see the role that he has played."

Buffalonian Judy Beecher, who is a relative of General Donovan and a member of his extended Buffalo family, and who helped fund the Donovan documentary "Buffalo's Wild Bill Donovan" produced by WNED, offered some additional background and an anecdote: "William Donovan was born in the Old First Ward in 1883 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His maternal grandparents arrived in Buffalo in 1859, and he never forgot his roots, nor his heritage and the lessons learned in the rough and tumble world of Irish immigrants. Donovan was exceptional, and possessed what we now call charisma. A graduate of Nardin Academy and St Joseph's Collegiate Institute, he attended Niagara University before securing scholarships to Columbia University and Columbia Law School.  He was destined to become a major player on the world stage and his reputation was secured by his bravery and leadership in World War I and World War II."  

Linus Ormsby, the Niagara University Director of Communications and Public Relations, commented: "Maj. Gen. William Joseph Donovan is numbered among the most prominent alumni of Niagara University. In 2007, he was included in the inaugural class of Niagara Legacy - Alumni of Distinction, in recognition of his service to the nation. He is the only American to have received the nation's four highest awards, The Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the National Security Medal.

Maj. Gen. Donovan attended the university from 1899 to 1902 and returned to campus in June of 1919 to accept an honorary degree at commencement. The occasion was recounted in John Stranges' history of NU, "The Rainbow Never Fades." He wrote: "Donovan's exploits in France in 1918 lifted him to near iconic status on the Niagara campus. He seemed the embodiment of the spirit of old Niagara-intelligent, but possessed of character above all. His fierce individuality had no boundaries; he could rally his men as well as save them from death. He could sustain wounds but refuse to leave the battlefield. And he did it all with a sly half-smile. Niagara's young stalwarts had often modeled themselves after public figures. In 1919, William Donovan was their man. His return to campus ... was an absolute triumph."

OGS Commissioner John Egan remarked "Our nation's history is rich because of the contributions of great New Yorkers like General Donovan.  Through this cooperative project, we are sharing history and ensuring that the contributions of those who are no longer with us are remembered. The portrait will show children visiting the park that those who accomplish great deeds are often born from humble beginnings."

Hoyt has led the fight to ensure that General Donovan was not forgotten in light of the decommissioning of the General Donovan State Office Building, and worked with Colonel Cunningham and Commissioner Egan to negotiate the General's portrait and plaque being temporarily housed in the Naval and Servicemen's Park.

Hoyt closed by saying: "When I first called for the demolition of the Donovan building to make way for the new Inner Harbor developments, I made a pledge that the memory of this great American would not be lost along with the building. This rededication is the first step in assuring that this promise is kept." 

Assemblymember Sam Hoyt represents the 144^th Assembly District.
Assemblymember Mark J.F. Schroeder represents the 145^th Assembly District.