Richard Miles McCool

He fought a burning ship and took trapped sailors to safety.

Richard Miles McCool Jr. was born in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, on 4 January 1922. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1944 and, after amphibious training, took command of landing craft support vessel LCS(L)(3)-122.

Off Okinawa on 10 June 1945, McCool helped rescue men from the sinking destroyer USS William D. Porter. The next evening Japanese suicide aircraft attacked his own vessel. One struck its conning tower, leaving McCool wounded and burned. He nevertheless organized firefighting, rallied the crew and entered a burning compartment to rescue trapped sailors. He continued until assistance arrived and he could be evacuated. President Harry Truman presented him with the Medal of Honor later that year.

McCool recovered and remained in the Navy, ultimately becoming a captain and retiring in 1974 after a thirty-year commissioned career. He later lived in Washington State and remained active in public affairs. He died in Bremerton on 5 March 2008. The amphibious transport dock USS Richard M. McCool Jr. was named in his honor.