Thanks to the U.S. Departnent of Defense and their “Medal of Honor Monday” program we are pleased to recognize Navy Lt. Cmdr. Donald A. Gary, Medal of Honor recipient.
Navy Cmdr. Donald A. Gary was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.
As an engineering officer on the USS Franklin, Gary saved hundreds of men who were trapped when the ship was nearly destroyed by the Japanese.
Despite intense flames, floodwaters, and threats of more explosions, Gary used his knowledge of the ship to lead the men to safety. He continued to rally the men to organize themselves and fight the fires still plaguing the ship.
Gary retired from active duty on June 1, 1950, and was advanced to the rank of commander thanks to his stellar service record. He passed away on April 9, 1977, and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
About USS Franklin
USS Franklin (CV-13, later CVA/CVS-13, then AVT-8)
Essex-class aircraft carrier, USS Franklin (CV-13) was commissioned on January 31, 1944, and departed for service in the Pacific during World War II. Arriving in the region, she took part in the Mariana Island Campaign where her aircraft provided aerial strikes for landing forces at Bonin Islands, Guam, Palau Islands amongst others.
Shown in smoke and flames as a result of an attack of Japanese dive-bomber.
Supporting the Peleliu landing in September, Franklin continued in her supporting role during the landing at Leyte in October, where she also participated in the Battle of Sibuyan Sea and the Battle of Cape Engano during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On October 30, she was attacked by Japanese Kamikazes, which hit the flight deck and crashed through to the galley. Due to the damage, she departed for repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington.
Returning for service in the Pacific in March 1945, Franklin joined Task Force 58 for air attacks on the Japanese homeland to support the Okinawa landings. On March 19, a Japanese aircraft attacked, with one of her bombs striking the flight deck. Penetrating the hangar deck, the bomb caused destruction and fires. In the resulting chaos, Lieutenant Commander Joseph T. O’Callahan, the Catholic chaplain, and Lieutenant Donald A. Gary, both were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic efforts attending to the wounded and saving numerous lives. In the attack, 807 men perished and 487 were wounded. Following temporary repairs, she made the journey to Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York City, for restorations.
Following World War II, Franklin was decommissioned in February 1947 at Bayonne, New Jersey. While in the reserve fleet, she was redesiginated as an attack aircraft carrier, CVA-13, in October 1952, then as antisubmarine support carrier, CVS-13, in August 1953. Finally, in May 1959, she was redesignated as an aircraft transport, AVT-8. In October 1964, Franklin was stricken from the Naval Reserve Register and was sold for scrap two years later.