Donald L. McFaul
Encyclopedia
Donald Lewis McFaul, was a United States Navy SEAL killed in action at Paitilla Airfield during Operation Just Cause, the 1989 US Invasion of Panama. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Cross for his heroism during the battle while pulling another SEAL to safety. Only two Navy Crosses were awarded for 1989 operations in Panama. The USS McFaul (DDG-74)
was named to honor him.
, graduating in 1975 with a 3.47 GPA ranking 64 of 399 in his class. He enlisted in the United States Navy on June 26, 1975 and was initially assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island
working for port services as an engine specialist. McFaul volunteered for special warfare and was accepted in 1977. In spring of 1978 he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. He was then assigned to SEAL Team One following his graduation from BUD/S and did three tours of duty conducting special operations from U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
. He left the navy from 1985 to 1988 living and working in the Seattle and Kodiak, Alaska
areas. He returned to the Navy in 1988 attending a Defense Department Spanish language school in Monterey, California
. There he met his wife, Patricia. They were married February 1988 and he was assigned to SEAL Team 4 based in Little Creek, Virginia. In December 1989 he deployed to Panama as part of SEAL Team 4. He was killed during the capture of Paitilla Airfield, Panama City
, Panama
in the early morning hours of December 20, 1989. According to his Navy Cross citation, he left a position of safety to assist team members under heavy enemy fire. He then carried another team member to safety, but was mortally wounded in the process. His actions saved that team member and were said to inspire other heroic acts that led to the capture of the objective.
Patricia, his wife of less than two years gave birth to his daughter Megan six days after his funeral.
USS McFaul (DDG-74)
USS McFaul is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Chief Petty Officer Donald L. McFaul, a Navy SEAL who was killed in action on 20 December 1989, while serving in Panama...
was named to honor him.
Biography
Attended high school in Bend, OregonBend, Oregon
Bend is a city in and the county seat of Deschutes County, Oregon, United States, and the principal city of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and, despite its modest size, is the de facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population...
, graduating in 1975 with a 3.47 GPA ranking 64 of 399 in his class. He enlisted in the United States Navy on June 26, 1975 and was initially assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island
Treasure Island, California
Treasure Island is an artificial island in the San Francisco Bay between San Francisco and Oakland, and an emerging neighborhood of San Francisco....
working for port services as an engine specialist. McFaul volunteered for special warfare and was accepted in 1977. In spring of 1978 he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. He was then assigned to SEAL Team One following his graduation from BUD/S and did three tours of duty conducting special operations from U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the United States Navy located in Zambales, Philippines. It was the largest U.S...
. He left the navy from 1985 to 1988 living and working in the Seattle and Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline...
areas. He returned to the Navy in 1988 attending a Defense Department Spanish language school in Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. There he met his wife, Patricia. They were married February 1988 and he was assigned to SEAL Team 4 based in Little Creek, Virginia. In December 1989 he deployed to Panama as part of SEAL Team 4. He was killed during the capture of Paitilla Airfield, Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
in the early morning hours of December 20, 1989. According to his Navy Cross citation, he left a position of safety to assist team members under heavy enemy fire. He then carried another team member to safety, but was mortally wounded in the process. His actions saved that team member and were said to inspire other heroic acts that led to the capture of the objective.
Patricia, his wife of less than two years gave birth to his daughter Megan six days after his funeral.
Decorations
Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
with Gold Star
Combat Action RibbonCombat Action RibbonThe Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
Navy Good Conduct MedalGood Conduct MedalThe Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...