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Photo # NH 105854:  Lieutenant Junior Grade Albert L. David, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Lieutenant Albert L. David, USN, (1902-1945)

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

 
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.

 
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:
Commander Earl Trosino, USNR;
Captain Daniel V. Gallery, Jr., USN, Commanding Officer, USS Guadalcanal; and
Lieutenant Junior Grade Albert L. David, USN, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the boarding party that captured the submarine and carried out initial salvage operations.
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

 



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):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the U.S.S. Pillsbury during the capture of an enemy German submarine off French West Africa, 4 June 1944. Taking a vigorous part in the skillfully coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search by the Task Group, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade,) David boldly led a party from the Pillsbury in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at 5 or 6 knots on the surface. Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily sink or be blown up by the exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch and, with his small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat and to assist the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic to a United States port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the United States Navy since 1815, Lieutenant David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 17 June 2008