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

Name: Richard Miles McCool Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Command: 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 Miles McCool Jr. displayed extraordinary heroism while commanding USS LCS(L)(3)-122 during the bitter fighting off Okinawa.

Operating on hazardous radar picket duty, his vessel was among the ships exposed to relentless Japanese air attacks intended to weaken the Allied invasion fleet.

During raids on 10 June, McCool and his crew played a critical role in rescuing survivors from a destroyer that had suffered fatal damage under devastating enemy assault, helping evacuate every remaining survivor before the ship was lost.

The following evening, disaster struck his own command.

Two kamikaze aircraft attacked simultaneously.

McCool immediately directed the full firepower of his ship against the incoming planes, shooting down one attacker and badly damaging the second.

Despite the defensive fire, the crippled aircraft slammed into the conning tower, exploding in a sheet of flame that engulfed his command station.

Wounded by shrapnel and suffering severe burns, McCool refused to relinquish command.

Instead, he rallied his stunned and injured crew, organized aggressive firefighting efforts, and restored order amid the chaos.

Learning that sailors remained trapped inside a blazing compartment, he personally entered the danger zone and rescued them, carrying one man to safety despite the agony caused by his own worsening burns.

Ignoring exhaustion and pain, he continued directing damage control and rescue operations without pause until assistance arrived from nearby ships.

Only then did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment.

His decisive leadership, courage under fire, and refusal to abandon his crew saved numerous lives and preserved his heavily damaged ship for future 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 into 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.