Donald A. Gary

Commander Donald Arthur Gary (July 23, 1901 – April 9, 1977) was an officer of the United States Navy during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the fires on USS Franklin on March 19, 1945.

Biography

Gary was born in Findlay, Ohio, on July 23, 1901. He enlisted in the navy in December 1919 and served continuously in the enlisted ranks until November 1943, when he received a commission as a lieutenant, junior grade. In 1943 and 1944, Lieutenant junior grade Gary was assigned to the Third Naval District and as an inspector of machinery at the Babcock & Wilcox Company. In December 1944, he was sent to the aircraft carrier Franklin as an engineering officer.

When that ship was severely damaged by Japanese air attack on March 19, 1945 during a major operation against the Japanese Imperial Navy base at Kure, Lieutenant Gary discovered 300 men trapped in a blackened mess compartment and, finding an exit, returned repeatedly to lead groups to safety. Gary later organized and led firefighting parties to battle the inferno on the hangar deck and entered number three fireroom to raise steam in one boiler, braving extreme hazards in so doing. For his heroism on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 23, 1946.

Subsequently, promoted to the ranks of lieutenant and lieutenant commander, Gary remained with Franklin until she was decommissioned in February 1947. He was then assigned to the Naval Disciplinary Barracks at Terminal Island, California, where he served until relieved of active duty pending retirement, which took place in June 1950.