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David, Albert Leroy

Date of birth:
July 18th, 1902 (Maryville/Minnesota, United States)
Date of death:
September 17th, 1945 (Norfolk/Virginia, United States)
Buried on:
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Plot: OS. Grave: 125a.
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit:
U.S.S. Pillsbury (DE-133), U.S. Navy
Awarded on:
June 4th, 1944
"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, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) 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 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 U.S. port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815, Lt. David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

Date of citation unknown
Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Navy Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Gold Star in lieu
Navy Cross

Sources

  • Photo: Home of Heroes
  • - Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present, by C. Douglas Sterner
    Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996.

Photo