David Lamar McDonald (September 12, 1906 – December 16, 1997) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the 17th Chief of Naval Operations from 1 August 1963 to 1 August 1967 during the Vietnam War era.
Early life and education McDonald was born in Maysville, Georgia, on September 12, 1906. He originally sought to go to the United States Military Academy, receiving a nomination from Representative Thomas Montgomery Bell of the 9th Congressional District. After learning he was 2 months and 12 days too young, he opted to attend Riverside Military Academy first, then entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1928.
Naval career Before becoming a naval aviator, McDonald was assigned to the battleship and the battleship .David Lamar McDonald, 91, Former Senior Naval Officer, New York Times, December 23, 1997 He spent three years, from 1935 to 1938, as a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida. Between 1938 and 1955, he served as flag secretary of the aircraft command of the United States Atlantic Fleet, commander of the Naval Operational Training Command, executive officer of the aircraft carrier in the Pacific and assistant chief of staff for operations of the United States Pacific Fleet.
From 1951 to 1952, McDonald served as the commander of the escort carrier . During the mid-1950s, McDonald commanded the aircraft carrier . In the early 1960s, before becoming Chief of Naval Operations, he served as Commander, United States Sixth Fleet. At the time of his selection as Chief of Naval Operations, he was the youngest full admiral in the navy, and had only received his fourth star a month prior.
While serving as the Chief of Naval Operations, he denounced the alleged cover-up surrounding the 1967 USS Liberty incident: “I think that much of this is extraneous and it leaves me with the feeling that we’re trying our best to excuse the attackers…Were I a parent of one of the deceased this release would burn me up. I myself do not subscribe to it.” https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2017/june/spy-ship-left-out-cold
In 1976, nearly a decade after he retired, McDonald wrote in his autobiography of his participation in the escalation of the Vietnam War:
The airfield at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, is named after McDonald.
Awards
Naval Aviator BadgeNavy Distinguished Service Medalw/ " gold starLegion of MeritBronze Star Medalw/ Combat 'V'Navy Commendation Medalw/ Combat 'V' and " gold starNavy Presidential Unit Citationw/ " bronze starChina Service MedalAmerican Defense Service Medalw/ "A" deviceAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ " silver and bronze starsWorld War II Victory MedalNavy Occupation Service Medalw/ 'Japan' claspNational Defense Service Medalw/ one " bronze starPhilippine Liberation Medalw/ two " bronze stars
References
External links
Photo of McDonald as Commander, Sixth Fleet – from the Naval Historical Center USS Coral Sea Commanding Officers – from USS Coral Sea Tribute Site 1963 interview with McDonald