David L. McDonald

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. 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

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