Albert Leroy David was born on 18 July 1902 in Maryville, Missouri. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that same state in September 1919. He completed Basic Training at Naval Training Station, San Francisco, California and received orders to USS Arkansas. In June 1921, David reenlisted and was assigned to USS Rochester, transferring in succession to USS Preston, USS Delaware, USS Utah, and USS Texas. After reenlisting in May 1925, he remained on sea duty and subsquently served on board USS Trenton, USS Cincinnati, and USS Salt Lake City.
In May 1931, David reenlisted and received orders to USS Dobbin, remaining on board until August 1939, when he was placed in the Fleet Reserve. That September, due to the start of the Second World War in Europe, he was recalled to active duty. In May 1942, David was temporarily promoted to the warrant officer rank of Machinist and was ordered to the Submarine Repair Unit at San Diego, California. In June, he was temporarily promoted to an Ensign. After diesel engineers' training at the Naval Training School's Madison campus of the University of Wisconsin, David received orders to Naval Training Station, Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Returning to sea duty, Ensign David reported to Orange, Texas to help fit-out and serve on board USS Pillsbury. In May 1943, David was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade.
On 4 June 1944, while USS Pillsbury was part of USS Guadalacanal's task force escorting convoys off Cape Blanco, French West Africa, the German Submarine U-505 was located by the task force and forced it to surface. David led a team of nine men from Pillsbury on board and took possession of the submarine. Though it 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 was the first since 1815. In July 1944, he was temporarily promoted to Lieutenant. Before David could be presented the Medal of Honor, he died on 17 September 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity " on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Albert L. David is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.
USS Albert David (DE-1050), 1968-2001, was named after Lieutenant Albert L. David.
This page features the only images we have concerning Albert L. David.
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Photo #: NH 105854 Lieutenant Junior Grade Albert L. David, USN Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 172. Albert L. David was awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on 4 June 1944, when he led a boarding party from USS Pillsbury (DE-133) to capture the German submarine U-505 after it had been forced to the surface. Though the submarine could have sunk or blown up at any time during the operation, David directed initial salvage efforts and ensured it was kept afloat. This was the first capture of an enemy warship on the high seas since 1815. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 40KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: 80-G-49177 Captain Daniel V. Gallery, Jr., USN and Lieutenant Junior Grade Albert L. David, USN Photographed on board USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) in June 1944. On 4 June 1944 Lieutenant Junior Grade David led the boarding party that took control of the German submarine U-505 after it was forced to surface by Guadalcanal's task force. This capture of an enemy warship on the high seas was the first by the U.S. Navy since 1815. Albert David was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and bravery during this action. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 105857 Capture of German Submarine U-505 4 June 1944 Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken soon after the submarine's capture, copied from the "USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) Memory Log", page 28. U.S. Naval Officers shown on the submarine's conning tower are, from right to left: Note the United States flag flying above the German Navy ensign. U-505 was the first enemy warship captured on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 82KB; 575 x 765 pixels |
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Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Albert Leroy David, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 172): |
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 17 June 2008