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Chief Metalsmith · U.S. Navy

James Harper McDonald

Chief Metalsmith James Harper McDonald, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 23, 1939 in Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire (Interim 1920–1940).

Interim 1920 - 1940 May 23, 1939Born in Scotland

Chief Metalsmith James Harper McDonald was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 23, 1939 in Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. McDonald was 38 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 19, 1940. Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles Edison. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

McDonald was born on July 15, 1900 in near Newmaud, Scotland — one of 41 recipients born in Scotland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington, District of Columbia. McDonald died on December 29, 1973 in Couldersport, Pennsylvania, at the age of 73. He is buried at Fishing Creek Cemetery in Roulette, Pennsylvania.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a master diver throughout the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. His leadership, masterly skill, general efficiency, and untiring devotion to duty in directing diving operations and in making important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions, characterize conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Places

  • Born: Scotland — map
  • Buried: Fishing Creek Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →

Timeline

  1. July 15, 1900
    Born in near Newmaud, Scotland
  2. May 23, 1939
    Act of valor — Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire
    Age 38.
  3. January 19, 1940
    Medal of Honor presented
    Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles Edison
  4. December 29, 1973
    Died in Couldersport, Pennsylvania
    Age 73.
  5. Resting place
    Fishing Creek Cemetery
    Roulette, Pennsylvania

Biography

James Harper McDonald (July 15, 1900 – December 29, 1973) was a United States Navy diver and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the salvage of the sunken submarine USS Sailfish.

From the Wikipedia article “James Harper McDonald”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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Also honored for actions on May 23, 1939

WB William Badders Chief Machinist's Mate · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1939 Orson Leon Crandall Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1939 John Mihalowski Torpedoman First Class · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1939
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.