Medal of Honor: Shipfitter First Class Patrick McGunigal, World War I, September 17, 1917

Name: Patrick McGunigal

Rank: Shipfitter First Class
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 17, 1917
Unit: USS Huntington
Accredited to: Ohio

Summary of Action
As the Huntington crossed the war zone, a tethered kite balloon suddenly dropped into the sea during a violent squall, dragging its pilot beneath the waves. Without hesitation, Shipfitter First Class Patrick McGunigal climbed down the side of the ship and leapt onto the tangled balloon lines, braving the raging waters. Fighting against the ropes and the pull of the sea, he freed the struggling pilot, secured him with a bowline, and ensured his rescue before being hauled aboard himself. His fearless action, taken in the face of grave personal danger, prevented certain loss of life.

Medal of Honor Citation
For extraordinary heroism while attached to the U.S.S. Huntington. On the morning of 17 September 1917, while the Huntington was passing through the war zone, a kite balloon was sent aloft with Lt. (j.g.) H. W. Hoyt, U.S. Navy, as observer. When the balloon was about 400 feet in the air, a sudden drop in temperature caused it to descend rapidly about 200 feet, where it was struck by a squall. The balloon was hauled to the ship’s side, but the basket trailed in the water and the pilot was submerged. With great daring, McGunigal climbed down the side of the ship, jumped to the ropes leading to the basket, and worked to clear the tangle enough to free the pilot. He then helped secure the pilot with a bowline so that he could be hauled safely aboard. A bowline was then lowered to McGunigal, who was also brought safely back to the deck.