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Photo #:  NH 95387-A  Lieutenant Junior Grade Richard M. McCool, USN

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-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Captain Richard M. McCool, Jr., USN, (1922-2008)

Richard Miles McCool Jr. was born on 4 January 1922 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma and was appointed from that same state to the U.S. Naval Academy during World War II. After graduating in June 1944, he was commissioned an Ensign and briefly assigned to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. Completing instruction at Amphibious Training Station, Solomons, Maryland, he comanded USS LCS 122 upon her commissioning in December. In January 1945, he was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant. On 10 June, while operating off the Ryukyu Chain, Japan, he led his vessel to rescue survivors of USS William D. Porter after a Japanese kamikaze bomb exploded underneath her. The next evening, two Japanese kamikazes attacked. Organizing a counter attack, McCool's crew downed one of the kamikazes and damaged the second before it crashed into his vessel. Severly wounded and suffering severe burns, he led his men to fight the fires and rescue crewmembers until evacuated due to his wounds. For his "conspicuous gallantry" on this occasion, McCool was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Reverted back to Lieutenant Junior Grade in January 1946, McCool recovered from his injuries that July and assumed command of LSC 44, later transferring to USS McKean. In July 1947, he was assigned as Aide to Commandant, Eighth Naval District at New Orleans, Louisiana. After instructing at the University of Oklahoma with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, he reported for sea duty in June 1949 on board USS Frank Knox, later transferring to USS Leyte. In January 1951, McCool was promoted to Lieutenant. Completing Armed Forces Information School at Fort Slocum, New York that June, he received orders to Commander Naval Base, Long Beach, California becoming its Public Information Officer. He returned to Eighth Naval District a year later. In July 1954, he assumed duties as the Assistant Public Information at Boston University, Boston, Massachussetts.

In the Summer of 1955, McCool was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. The following year, he reported overseas as a staff member of Commander, South Eastern Asia Treaty Organization at Bangkok, Thailand. In December 1958, he was assigned to the staff of Commandant of the Ninth Naval District at Great Lakes, Illinois, where he was promoted in July 1960 to Commander. McCool remained on staff duty and reported in April 1961 to Commander, First Fleet. He transferred three years later to duty with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan. Returning to the U.S., he continued staff duty with Commander, Seventh Fleet. In July 1965, McCool was promoted to Captain. In April 1966, he became Deputy Commander of the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. In 1974, he retired from active duty after serving in various Public Affairs posts. While in retirement, he was active in local politics in the Bremerton, Washington area. Richard M. McCool died on 5 March 2008 and is buried at Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland.

This page features the only images we have concerning Richard M. McCool, Jr.

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Photo #: NH 95387-A

Lieutenant Junior Grade Richard M. McCool, Jr., USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 227.
Richard M. McCool Jr. was awarded the Medal of Honor for " conspicuous gallantry" while Commanding Officer of USS LCS 122 during operations against the Japanese in the Ryukyu Chain, 10-11 June 1945. During this operation, he led his vessel to rescue survivors of USS William D. Porter (DD-579) after a Japanese kamikaze bomb exploded underneath her. The next evening, two Japanese kamikazes attacked. Organizing a counter attack, McCool's crew downed one of the kamikazes and damaged the second before it crashed into his vessel. Severly wounded and suffering severe burns, he led his men to fight the fires and rescue crewmembers until evacuated due to his wounds.
McCool was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant while in command of LCS 122. This photograph was taken after January 1946 when McCool's temporary promotion to Lieutenant was reverted after World War II.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 70KB; 615 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-701648

Lieutenant Richard M. McCool, Jr., USN


is presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at the White House, Washington, D.C. on 18 December 1945. The medal was awarded for "conspicuous gallantry" while in command of USS LCS 122 off Okinawa, Japan in June 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 55KB; 675 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Richard Miles McCool, Jr., USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 227):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LCS 122, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 and 11 June 1945. Sharply vigilant during hostile air raids against Allied ships on radar picket duty off Okinawa on 10 June, Lieutenant McCool aided materially in evacuating all survivors from a sinking destroyer which had sustained mortal damage under the devastating attacks. When his own craft was attacked simultaneously by two of the enemy's suicide squadron early in the evening of 11 June, he instantly hurled the full power of his gun batteries against the plunging aircraft, shooting down the first and damaging the second before it crashed his station in the conning tower and engulfed the immediate area in a mass of flames. Although suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he rallied his concussion-shocked crew and initiated vigorous fire-fighting measures and then proceeded to the rescue of several trapped in a blazing compartment, subsequently carrying one man to safety despite the excruciating pain of additional severe burns. Unmindful of all personal danger, he continued his efforts without respite until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated. By his staunch leadership, capable direction and indomitable determination throughout the crisis, Lieutenant McCool saved the lives of many who otherwise might have persished and contributed materially to the saving of his ship for further combat service. His valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of extreme peril sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."


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Page made 22 December 2008