请输入您要查询的百科知识:

 

词条 Harry Goonatilake
释义

  1. Early life

  2. Career in the Air Force

  3. Family life

  4. Death

  5. References

  6. External links

{{Infobox military person
|name= Harry Goonetileke
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1929|11|27}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|2008|4|11|1929|11|27}}
|birth_place=Mutwall, Ceylon
|death_place=Colombo, Sri Lanka
|image=
|caption=Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke
|nickname=
|allegiance= {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka
|serviceyears=30 years
|rank=Air Chief Marshal
|branch= Sri Lanka Air Force
|commands=Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force,
Chief of Air Staff,
Director Operations.
|unit=No. 2 (Transport) Squadron, RCyAF
|battles= 1971 Insurrection,
Sri Lankan Civil War
|awards=Uttama Seva Padakkama,
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal,
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal
|laterwork= Air Lanka, Board of Directors
}}Air Chief Marshal W.D. Harry Goonetileke USP, ndc, psc, SLAF (November 27, 1929 – April 11, 2008) was the fifth Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force from November 1, 1976 to April 30, 1981.[1]

Early life

Born 27 November 1929, as the only son of a family of five girls, his father was a booking clerk in the Railways Department and became an Assistant Transportation Superintendent at the time of retirement. Educated at the Royal College, Colombo and played of the college rugby team, he would continue to play and coach the air force team as well.

Career in the Air Force

Harry Goonetileke joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force as a Flight Cadet in 1951 in the first batch of locally trained pilots. He received his flight training in the Chipmunk and Balliol aircraft and earning his Wings in 1954, and 4 years later in 1958 was promoted to Squadron Leader. He was one the members of a team that flew to UK and back ferrying the RCyAF's new de Havilland Heron aircraft to Ceylon. His commands included Commanding Officer No. 2 (Transport) Squadron, RCyAF and Commanding Officer of RCyAF China Bay, with responsibility for the Cadet training there. In 1962 he became Station Commander and after further training at Staff College, Wellington he was appointed Director of Operations with responsibility for all flying and ground operations in the Force. In this capacity he played a major role during the 1971 Insurrection. He also began the archival process that led in later years to the formation of the SLAF Museum and contributed greatly to SLAF sports particularly Rugby Football. He was the Chief of Air Staff before being promoted as Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on November 1, 1976, a post he held till his retirement on April 30, 1981.[2]

In 2007 he was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal along with 9 other former service commanders.

Family life

In 1955 he married Marian Perera and had two sons and two daughters. Both his sons joined the Sri Lanka Air Force, his eldest son Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake is the current Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, his younger son Air Commodore Shirantha Goonatilake RWP, RSP, SLAF was killed in 1995 when the plane he was piloting was shot down by a SAM, to date is the most senior air force officer killed in action.

Death

He died on 11 April 2008.[3] His funeral was held at the General Cemetery Borella, Colombo on 12 April with military honors.[4]

References

1. ^Harry Goonatilake, a true patriot
2. ^Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023555/http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/01/20/spice01.asp |date=2007-09-30 }}
3. ^Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonethileke passes away {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413114446/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080411_02 |date=2008-04-13 }}
4. ^Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke former Air Force Commander died

External links

  • Official Website of Sri Lanka Air Force
{{s-start}}{{s-mil}}{{succession box
| title=Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force
| before=Paddy Mendis
| after=Dick Perera
| years=1976–1981}}{{s-end}}{{Commanders of the Sri Lankan Air Force}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Goonetileke, W.D. Harry}}

6 : 1929 births|2008 deaths|Commanders of the Sri Lanka Air Force|Sri Lankan Air Chief Marshals|Sri Lankan aviators|Alumni of Royal College, Colombo

随便看

 

开放百科全书收录14589846条英语、德语、日语等多语种百科知识,基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识,是一部内容自由、开放的电子版国际百科全书。

 

Copyright © 2023 OENC.NET All Rights Reserved
京ICP备2021023879号 更新时间:2024/11/10 7:32:51