Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library listing
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Captain William L. McGonagle, USN, (1925-1999)
William Loren McGonagle was born in Wichita, Kansas, on 19
November 1925 and attended secondary school and college in California.
He was active in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and
was commissioned in the rank of Ensign upon graduation from the
University of Southern California in June 1947. After service
in the destroyer Frank Knox and minesweeper Partridge
during 1947-50, he served in the minesweeper Kite
during the extensive Korean
War minesweeping operations that earned her a Presidential
Unit Citation. From 1951 to 1966, he was assigned to various positions
ashore and afloat, including command of the fleet tug Mataco
in 1957-58 and the salvage ship Reclaimer in 1961-63.
In April 1966, Commander McGonagle became Commanding Officer
of the technical research ship Liberty,
taking her on a number of communications and electronic emissions
monitoring missions during the next year. On 8 June 1967, while
carrying out her important function off the Sinai Peninsula during
the war between Israel and Egypt, Liberty was attacked
and severely damaged by Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats.
For his heroism on that occasion, Commander McGonagle was awarded
the Medal of Honor and
his ship received the Presidential Unit Citation.
After promotion to the rank of Captain in October 1967, McGonagle
commanded the new ammunition ship Kilauea and led the NROTC
Unit at the University of Oklahoma. He retired from active duty
in 1974. Captain William L. McGonagle died at Palm Springs, California, on 3 March 1999.
This page features our only views of Captain William L. McGonagle,
USN.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 97472
Captain William Loren McGonagle, USN
Portrait photograph, dated 4 October 1967.
Captain McGonagle has inscribed this photograph: "To The
Navy Memorial Museum, W.L. McGonagle, Captain, U.S. Navy, 12
June 1968".
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 90KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 97474
Commander William L. McGonagle, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5)
In his cabin on board the ship, 11 June 1967.
Note damage received when Israeli forces attacked the Liberty
off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 97476
Commander William L. McGonagle, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5)
Points out damage inflicted on the ship's superstructure when
Israeli forces attacked the Liberty off the Sinai Peninsula
on 8 June 1967.
The photograph was taken on 16 June, two days after Liberty
arrived at Valletta, Malta, for repairs.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Captain William L. McGonagle:
"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." |
In addition to the images presented above, the National
Archives appears to hold at least two other views of Captain William
L. McGonagle, USN. The following list features those images:
The images listed below are NOT in
the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our
page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".
U.S. Navy Photo #: KN-22055
Captain William L. McGonagle, USN.
Portrait photograph, from mid-chest up, taken by G.D. Hughes,
19 June 1974. Captain McGonagle is wearing his officer's hat
and ribbons.
This photograph should be available in color.
U.S. Navy Photo #: KN-22056
Captain William L. McGonagle, USN.
Portrait photograph, from upper waist up, taken by G.D. Hughes,
19 June 1974. Captain McGonagle is wearing his officer's hat
and medals, including the Medal of Honor.
This photograph should be available in color.
Reproductions of these images should be available through
the National Archives photographic
reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical
Center.
The images listed in this box are NOT
in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain
them using the procedures described in our page "How to
Obtain Photographic Reproductions".
|
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 14 January 2001