Helen Fisher
| | St. John's Cemetery | |
Helen Fisher was the first Pensacola woman to marry a Naval aviator (Edward O. McDonnell). So many women followed that Pensacola earned the moniker, mother-in-law to the Navy.
Erected 2018 by Pensacola Bay Area Impact 100 and St. John's Cemetery Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Women.
Location. 30° 25.035′ N, 87° 14.052′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in St. John's Coalition. It can be reached from the intersection of North G Street and West Belmont Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the St. John's Cemetery grounds, at Section 23, Lot 14. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 North G Street, Pensacola FL 32501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Samuel G. French (a few steps from this marker); Mary Lewis Willis (a few steps from this marker); Mary W. Willis (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward A. Perry (within shouting distance of this marker); Crypts (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William F. Miller (about 300 feet away); Inventor of FSU Tomahawk Chop (about 300 feet away); First Interment (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. John's Cemetery
Also see . . .
1. Helen Fisher McDonnell (1894-1978) (Find A Grave).
(Saint John's Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA, Section 23, Lot 14, Space 5)(Submitted on April 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Edward Orrick McDonnell (1891-1960) (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: American vice admiral and Medal of Honor recipient. McDonnell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1912. He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz. Sent for aeronautical instruction at the Wright Company in Dayton, Ohio and flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, McDonnell was designated a naval aviator in March 1915.(Submitted on April 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)On March 10, 1919, Lieutenant Commander McDonnell flew a British-built Sopwith Camel off an overhauled gun turret on the USS Texas and thus became the first man to fly an airplane off a battleship. In January 1920, McDonnell transferred to the active reserves. As a reserve naval aviator, McDonnell had active-duty assignments at NAS Pensacola and aboard the seaplane tender Wright. Promoted to commander in July 1940, McDonnell traveled as a naval observer on the first Pan American Airways flight to the southwest Pacific. In October 1940, he was recalled to active duty. After United States entry into World War II, McDonnell was promoted to captain in December 1941 and then to rear admiral in 1942. In June 1943, he transferred to a staff position at the Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Released from active duty in December 1945, McDonnell became a rear admiral in the naval reserves. When he retired permanently in December 1951, he was advanced to vice admiral on the reserve retired list.
Vice Admiral McDonnell died in the 1960 bombing of National Airlines Flight 2511 in Bolivia, North Carolina. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
3. First aviator class at the Naval Air Station - Pensacola, Florida 1915 (facebook).
Excerpt: Standing (L-R): Robert R. Paunack, Earl W. Spencer Jr., Harold T. Bartlett, Edwards, Clarence K. Bronson, William M. Corry, Norfleet, Edward O. McDonnell, and Harold W. Scofield. Seated: Richard C. Saufley, Patrick N.L. Bellinger, Kenneth Whiting, Henry C. Mustin, Albert C. Read, Earle F. Johnson, Alfred Austell Cunningham, Francis T. Evans, and Haas. Credit this photo: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory(Submitted on April 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
