Medal of Honor: Bruce McCandless – World War II – November 12–13, 1942

Name: Bruce McCandless
Rank: Lieutenant Commander (later Commander)
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: USS San Francisco (CA-38)
Place and Date: Battle off Savo Island, Solomon Islands – 12–13 November 1942
Entered Service At: Colorado
Born: August 12, 1911 – Washington, D.C.
Departed: January 24, 1968
Accredited to: Colorado
Other Award: Silver Star

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Summary of Action

During the savage night battle off Savo Island — a chaotic, point-blank brawl in the dark — USS San Francisco was struck repeatedly by Japanese fire. On the navigating and signal bridges, carnage erupted in seconds. The admiral directing the task force, his staff, the ship’s captain, navigator, and nearly every officer present were killed or wounded. Among the wounded was Lieutenant Commander Bruce McCandless, the ship’s communications officer, knocked unconscious by the opening barrage.

When McCandless regained consciousness, he found himself the only surviving officer on the bridge of a crippled warship still locked in combat against a vastly superior enemy force. Without hesitation — and without any orders possible from above — he assumed command.

Bleeding, shaken, but resolute, McCandless ordered San Francisco back into the fight. He directed her course, coordinated her gunfire, and led the entire American column forward, unaware that the admiral had been killed. In the pitch-black chaos of naval combat, his decisions helped break the Japanese attack and turn the tide of the battle.

Against overwhelming odds, Bruce McCandless fought his ship clear, saved her from destruction, and ensured she would return to fight again in the desperate struggle for Guadalcanal.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. San Francisco.

Entered service at: Colorado.

Other Navy award: Silver Star.

For conspicuous gallantry and exceptionally distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty as communication officer of the U.S.S. San Francisco in combat with enemy Japanese forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12–13 November 1942. In the midst of a violent night engagement, the fire of a determined and desperate enemy seriously wounded Lt. Comdr. McCandless and rendered him unconscious, killed or wounded the admiral in command, his staff, the captain of the ship, the navigator, and all other personnel on the navigating and signal bridges. Faced with the lack of superior command upon his recovery, and displaying superb initiative, he promptly assumed command of the ship and ordered her course and gunfire against an overwhelmingly powerful force. With his superiors in other vessels unaware of the loss of their admiral, and challenged by his great responsibility, Lt. Comdr. McCandless boldly continued to engage the enemy and to lead our column of following vessels to a great victory. Largely through his brilliant seamanship and great courage, the San Francisco was brought back to port, saved to fight again in the service of her country.