Medal of Honor: Richard M. McCool Jr. - World War II - June 10-11, 1945

Name: Richard Miles McCool Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Unit: USS LCS(L)(3)-122
Date of Action: June 10-11, 1945
Location: Off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands

Summary of Action

On 10 and 11 June 1945, Lieutenant Richard M. McCool Jr., commanding officer of USS LCS(L)(3)-122, displayed extraordinary heroism during some of the fiercest kamikaze attacks of the Okinawa campaign.

While Allied ships stood radar picket duty off Okinawa, enemy aircraft launched repeated suicide attacks against the fleet. On 10 June, after a nearby destroyer suffered fatal damage and began to sink, McCool skillfully directed his ship in assisting with the evacuation of survivors, helping rescue every man who could be saved from the doomed vessel.

The following evening, disaster struck his own command.

Two Japanese suicide aircraft attacked USS LCS(L)(3)-122 simultaneously. Reacting instantly, McCool directed the full firepower of his ship’s guns against the incoming attackers. The crew succeeded in shooting down the first aircraft and damaging the second, but the crippled kamikaze continued its dive and smashed directly into the conning tower.

The impact engulfed the bridge and surrounding areas in flames.

McCool himself suffered painful burns and multiple shrapnel wounds, yet he refused to abandon command.

Rallying crewmen stunned by the explosion, he immediately organized firefighting efforts to prevent the blaze from consuming the ship. Learning that several sailors were trapped inside a burning compartment, he entered the inferno to rescue them.

Despite sustaining even more severe burns during the effort, he personally carried one trapped sailor to safety.

Ignoring his own injuries and the intense pain they caused, McCool continued directing damage-control operations, encouraging his men, and coordinating rescue efforts until help finally arrived from nearby ships.

Only after ensuring that everything possible had been done to save both his crew and his vessel did he consent to evacuation.

Through steadfast leadership, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Richard M. McCool Jr. saved numerous lives and played a decisive role in preserving his ship for continued combat service. His actions reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

McCOOL, RICHARD MILES, JR.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, USS LCS(L)(3)-122.

Place and date: Off Okinawa, 10 and 11 June 1945.

Entered service at: Oklahoma.

Born: 4 January 1922, Tishomingo, Okla.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of USS LCS(L)(3)-122 during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 and 11 June 1945. Sharply vigilant during hostile air raids against Allied ships on radar picket duty off Okinawa on 10 June, Lt. McCool aided materially in evacuating all survivors from a sinking destroyer which had sustained mortal damage under the devastating attacks. When his own craft was attacked simultaneously by two of the enemy’s suicide squadron early in the evening of 11 June, he instantly hurled the full power of his gun batteries against the plunging aircraft, shooting down the first and damaging the second before it crashed his station in the conning tower and engulfed the immediate area in a mass of flames. Although suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he rallied his concussion-shocked crew and initiated vigorous firefighting measures and then proceeded to the rescue of several trapped in a blazing compartment, subsequently carrying one man to safety despite the excruciating pain of additional severe burns. Unmindful of all personal danger, he continued his efforts without respite until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated. By his staunch leadership, capable direction, and indomitable determination throughout the crisis, Lt. McCool saved the lives of many who otherwise might have perished and contributed materially to the saving of his ship for further combat service. His valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of extreme peril sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.