David L. McDonald
Encyclopedia
David Lamar McDonald, USN, (September 12, 1906 - December 16, 1997) was an Admiral
of the United States Navy
, who served as the 17th Chief of Naval Operations
(CNO), 1 August 1963 – 1 August 1967, during the Vietnam War
era.
, Georgia
, McDonald 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.
Prior to becoming a naval aviator
, McDonald was assigned to the battleship
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
and the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45)
. The future admiral 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
USS Essex (CV-9)
in the Pacific and assistant chief of staff for operations of the United States Pacific Fleet
.
During the mid-1950s, McDonald commanded the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
. In the early 1960s, before becoming Chief of Naval Operations, he served as Commander, 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.
The airfield at Naval Station Mayport
, Florida, is named after McDonald.
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, who served as the 17th Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
(CNO), 1 August 1963 – 1 August 1967, during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
era.
Military career
A native of MaysvilleMaysville, Georgia
Maysville is a town in Banks and Jackson Counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 1,663 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Maysville is located at ....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, McDonald originally sought to go to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, receiving a nomination from Representative Thomas Montgomery Bell
Thomas Montgomery Bell
Thomas Montgomery Bell was an American politician who served as House majority whip from 1913 to 1915.Bell was born in Nacoochee Valley, near Cleveland, Georgia. He graduated from Moore’s Business University at Atlanta, then taught public school in Cleveland from 1878 to 1879. He then worked as a...
of the 9th Congressional District. After learning he was 2 months and 12 days too young, he opted to attend Riverside Military Academy
Riverside Military Academy
Riverside Military Academy is a private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for boys in grades 7 though 12. Riverside's campus is located on Lake Sydney Lanier at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Gainesville, Georgia, USA. Riverside's academic year runs August through May...
first, then entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, graduating in 1928.
Prior to becoming a naval aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
, McDonald was assigned to the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
USS Mississippi , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 20th state, and the second battleship to carry the name. Commissioned in 1917, too late to serve in World War I, she served extensively in the Pacific in World War II, for which she earned eight battle stars...
and the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45)
USS Colorado (BB-45)
USS Colorado , the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 38th state, was the lead ship of her class of battleships. Her keel was laid down on 29 May 1919 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey. She was launched on 22 March 1921 sponsored by Mrs. Max...
. The future admiral spent three years, from 1935 to 1938, as a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
in Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. 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
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the 24-ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in December 1942, Essex participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the...
in the Pacific and assistant chief of staff for operations of the United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
.
During the mid-1950s, McDonald commanded the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
USS Coral Sea , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of the Coral Sea. She earned the affectionate nickname "Ageless Warrior" through her long career...
. In the early 1960s, before becoming Chief of Naval Operations, he served as Commander, 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.
The airfield at Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport is a major United States Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. It contains a military airfield with one asphalt paved runway measuring 8,001 x 200 ft. ....
, Florida, is named after McDonald.
Famous Quotes
Referencing his participation in the escalation of the Vietnam War:
Maybe we military men were all weak. Maybe we should have stood up and pounded the table...I was part of it and I'm sort of ashamed of myself too. At times I wonder, "why did I go along with this stuff?"