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Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. San Francisco
Place and Date:
Savo Island, 12-13 November 1943. Entered service at: Maine.
Birth: 7 September 1900, Portland, Maine. Citation: For extreme heroism
and courage above and beyond the call of duty as damage control officer
of the U.S.S. San Francisco in action against greatly superior enemy forces
in the battle off Savo Island, 12-13 November 1942. In the same violent
night engagement in which all of his superior officers were killed or wounded,
Lt. Comdr. Schonland was fighting valiantly to free the San Francisco of
large quantities of water flooding the second deck compartments through
numerous shell holes caused by enemy fire. Upon being informed that he
was commanding officer, he ascertained that the conning of the ship was
being efficiently handled, then directed the officer who had taken over
that task to continue while he himself resumed the vitally important work
of maintaining the stability of the ship. In water waist deep, he carried
on his efforts in darkness illuminated only by hand lanterns until water
in flooded compartments had been drained or pumped off and watertight integrity
had again been restored to the San Francisco. His great personal valor
and gallant devotion to duty at great peril to his own life were instrumental
in bringing his ship back to port under her own power, saved to fight again
in the service of her country.
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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