William McGonagle

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For the Scottish poet see William McGonagall

William Loren McGonagle
November 19, 1925 - March 3, 1999
Navy portrait, October 1967
Place of birth	Wichita, Kansas
Place of death	Palm Springs, California
Allegiance	USN
Years of service	1944-1974
Rank	Captain
Commands	USS Liberty
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Cmdr W.M. McGonagle points out damage to the USS Liberty.

William Loren McGonagle (November 19, 1925 – March 3, 1999) was a United States Naval officer in command of the USS Liberty when he was attacked by the Israel Defense Force. He was awarded a Medal of Honor for his service during the attack.

1 Biography
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Biography

He was born in Wichita, Kansas and enlisted in the Navy in 1944. He attended a three years Navy training program at the University of Southern California, before becoming a Navy officer. He took command of the Liberty in April 1966.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean on 8-9 June 1967. Sailing in international waters, the Liberty was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and motor torpedo boats which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Captain (then Commander) McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command. Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle's extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the Liberty's crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to conn his ship for more than seventeen hours. It was only after rendezvous with a United States destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the Liberty and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Captain McGonagle's superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant leadership saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

McGonagle was presented his Medal of Honor at the Washington Navy Yard by the Secretary of the Navy, rather than at the White House by the President. ^[1]

McGonagle was promoted to the rank of captain in October 1967. After recovering from his wounds, McGonagle commanded the new ammunition ship Kilauea and served as the Executive Officer at the NROTC Unit at the University of Idaho from January 1959 to June 1961. He retired from active duty in 1974.

William McGonagle died on March 3, 1999. Following services at the Post Chapel at Fort Myer, Virginia, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on April 9, 1999 with full military honors and members of his USS Liberty crew in attendance. He was buried near the common gravesite of six members of the USS Liberty crew.^[2]