FROM THE "PEOPLE WE WISH WE HAD KNOWN" SERIES
Rear Admiral Donald J. MacDonald
DuBois Naval Hero
Donald MacDonald was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1908. He graduated from DuBois High School and was appointed to the Naval Academy from the 23rd District of Pennsylvania, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1931. He became a career naval officer, a distinguished Naval Hero during WW II, a White House aide in the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, and the commander (1948-51) of the presidential yacht, the Williamsburg, during the Truman administration.
Interview with Admiral MacDonald from the Presidential Library of Harry Truman ( Select )
Short Biography ( Select ) and ( Select )
TIME Magazine Article on D.J. MacDonald ( Select )
Read about the Destroyer O'Bannon that MacDonald commanded ( Select )
Destroyer O'Bannon's Exploits ( Select ) and ( Select ) Crewsman's Story of the O'Bannon ( Select )
First-hand account of one of the O'Bannon's more "unusual" WW II engagements ( Select )
The following excerpts are from just two of D.J. MacDonald's Naval Citations:
Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Lieutenant Commander, U.S.Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O'BANNON, during operations in the Solomon Islands, on July 4 - 6, 1943. When a cruiser of his task force was torpedoed Commander MacDonald skillfully maneuvered the O'BANNON close to the sinking vessel in order to screen another US Destroyer assisting in the hazardous rescue operations. Through his superior tactical knowledge and daring initiative, he enabled this destroyer to carry out her mission undamaged, although his own ship was being subjected to intense fire from the enemy coastal batteries and hostile aircraft. Twenty-four hours later, the same task group participated in a fierce engagement with a numerically superior Japanese naval force and succeeded in sinking or severely damaging all of the hostile vessels. The brilliant leadership displayed by Lieutenant Commander MacDonald and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the success of our forces in these vital campaigns.
(Second Award) Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O'BANNON during operations in the Solomon Islands Area on the night of August 17 - 18,1943. When an enemy Japanese force of four destroyers and a large number of landing barges endeavored under cover of night to reinforce the enemy garrisons in the Vella Lavella-Kolombangara Area, Commander MacDonald, with exceptional tactical skill under relentless gun and torpedo fire, led the O'BANNON in a brilliant interception of the hostile vessels. He fought his ship gallantly and contributed to the destruction of two destroyers, severe damage to a third and the annihilation of a number of landing barges. Having routed the enemy, he brought his vessel through this vital engagement unscathed. The superb leadership and unflinching courage displayed by Commander MacDonald and the loyal devotion to duty of his crew reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Rear Admiral Donald J. MacDonald
DuBois Naval Hero
Donald MacDonald was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania on July 25, 1908. He graduated from DuBois High School and was appointed to the Naval Academy from the 23rd District of Pennsylvania, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1931. He became a career naval officer, a distinguished Naval Hero during WW II, a White House aide in the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, and the commander (1948-51) of the presidential yacht, the Williamsburg, during the Truman administration.
Interview with Admiral MacDonald from the Presidential Library of Harry Truman ( Select )
Short Biography ( Select ) and ( Select )
TIME Magazine Article on D.J. MacDonald ( Select )
Read about the Destroyer O'Bannon that MacDonald commanded ( Select )
Destroyer O'Bannon's Exploits ( Select ) and ( Select ) Crewsman's Story of the O'Bannon ( Select )
First-hand account of one of the O'Bannon's more "unusual" WW II engagements ( Select )
The following excerpts are from just two of D.J. MacDonald's Naval Citations:
Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Lieutenant Commander, U.S.Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O'BANNON, during operations in the Solomon Islands, on July 4 - 6, 1943. When a cruiser of his task force was torpedoed Commander MacDonald skillfully maneuvered the O'BANNON close to the sinking vessel in order to screen another US Destroyer assisting in the hazardous rescue operations. Through his superior tactical knowledge and daring initiative, he enabled this destroyer to carry out her mission undamaged, although his own ship was being subjected to intense fire from the enemy coastal batteries and hostile aircraft. Twenty-four hours later, the same task group participated in a fierce engagement with a numerically superior Japanese naval force and succeeded in sinking or severely damaging all of the hostile vessels. The brilliant leadership displayed by Lieutenant Commander MacDonald and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the success of our forces in these vital campaigns.
(Second Award) Citation: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O'BANNON during operations in the Solomon Islands Area on the night of August 17 - 18,1943. When an enemy Japanese force of four destroyers and a large number of landing barges endeavored under cover of night to reinforce the enemy garrisons in the Vella Lavella-Kolombangara Area, Commander MacDonald, with exceptional tactical skill under relentless gun and torpedo fire, led the O'BANNON in a brilliant interception of the hostile vessels. He fought his ship gallantly and contributed to the destruction of two destroyers, severe damage to a third and the annihilation of a number of landing barges. Having routed the enemy, he brought his vessel through this vital engagement unscathed. The superb leadership and unflinching courage displayed by Commander MacDonald and the loyal devotion to duty of his crew reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.