Trose Emmett Donaldson

Trose Emmett Donaldson (born June 19, 1914 in Tacoma, Washington), was appointed a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Naval Reserve from the Merchant Marine on November 25, 1940.

Military service

He served in the oiler Sepulga (AO-20) and in repair ship Otus (AS-20) from March 25, 1941.

Awarded Navy Cross

Lieutenant Donaldson was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in December 1941 at Cavite, Philippine Islands, when he worked tirelessly to evacuate ships and wounded and to fight fires during Japanese air raids.

He was killed in action while commanding a U.S. Army tug on April 9, 1942 and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the War Department.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.