Michael Donnelly (veteran)

For other people named Michael Donnelly, see Michael Donnelly (disambiguation).

Michael W. Donnelly (February 3, 1959 – June 30, 2005) was a United States Air Force major and veteran of the first Gulf War. Medically retired in 1996 following a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's Disease, he became a leading activist for sufferers of Gulf War Syndrome

Donnelly quickly gained national recognition as a veteran's advocate, including appearing in a feature article in People Magazine. He led a six year campaign to convince the federal government of the connection between Lou Gehrig's Disease and active service in the Gulf, and provided testimony to the United States Congress regarding this issue.

Donnelly died of his disease in 2005. The Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve, in his hometown of South Windsor, Connecticut, is named for him. His funeral was attended by H. Ross Perot, whom Donnelly met while advocating for Gulf War veterans. Donnelly also wrote the book Falcon's Cry.

Donnelly graduated from Fairfield University in 1981.

External links

• Maj. Michael Donnelly Land Preserve Information
• Falcon's Cry Information
• Donnelly's Statement to Congress

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Name	Donnelly, Michael
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Date of birth	February 3, 1959
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Date of death	June 30, 2005
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