World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Maryville, Missouri, he served as a Machinist Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade, on board the USS Pillsbury, US Navy. On June 4, 1944, while the USS Pillsbury was part of the USS Guadalcanal's task force escorting convoys off Cape Blanco, French West Africa, the German Submarine U-505 was located and forced to surface. Lieutenant David led a team of nine men from the USS Pillsbury on board and took possession of the submarine. Though the submarine was flooding and could explode at any moment, he directed the initial salvage operations and later ensured the submarine was seaworthy for transport to the United States. This capture of an enemy vessel on the high seas was the first since 1815. In July 1944, he was promoted to Lieutenant and later died in in Norfolk, Virginia. For conspicuous gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Maryville, Missouri, he served as a Machinist Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade, on board the USS Pillsbury, US Navy. On June 4, 1944, while the USS Pillsbury was part of the USS Guadalcanal's task force escorting convoys off Cape Blanco, French West Africa, the German Submarine U-505 was located and forced to surface. Lieutenant David led a team of nine men from the USS Pillsbury on board and took possession of the submarine. Though the submarine was flooding and could explode at any moment, he directed the initial salvage operations and later ensured the submarine was seaworthy for transport to the United States. This capture of an enemy vessel on the high seas was the first since 1815. In July 1944, he was promoted to Lieutenant and later died in in Norfolk, Virginia. For conspicuous gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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