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.

thumb|right|Admiral David L. McDonald

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. 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.

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

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|colspan="3"|Naval Aviator Badge

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|colspan="3"|Navy Distinguished Service Medal<br>w/ " gold star

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|Legion of Merit

|Bronze Star Medal<br>w/ Combat 'V'

|Navy Commendation Medal<br>w/ Combat 'V' and " gold star

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|Navy Presidential Unit Citation<br/>w/ " bronze star

|China Service Medal

|American Defense Service Medal<br>w/ "A" device

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|American Campaign Medal

|Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal<br/>w/ " silver and bronze stars

|World War II Victory Medal

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|Navy Occupation Service Medal<br>w/ 'Japan' clasp

||National Defense Service Medal<br />w/ one " bronze star

|Philippine Liberation Medal<br/>w/ two " bronze stars

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References

  • 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