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Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy. Birth: 18
July 1902, Maryville, Mo. Accredited to: Missouri. Other Navy awards: Navy
Cross with gold star. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached
to the U.S.S. Pillsbury during the capture of an enemy German submarine
off French West Africa, 4 June 1944. Taking a vigorous part in the skillfully
coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search
by the Task Group, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) David boldly led a party from the
Pillsbury in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at
5 or 6 knots on the surface. Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily
sink or be blown up by exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved
the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch
and, with his small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat
and to ass1st the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in
making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic to a U.S.
port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture
of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815, Lt.
David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the
Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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