David L. McDonald


David Lamar McDonald was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the 17th Chief of Naval Operations from 1 August 1963 to 1 August 1967 during the Vietnam War era.

Early life and education

McDonald was born in Maysville, Georgia, on September 12, 1906. He originally sought to go to the United States Military Academy, receiving a nomination from Representative Thomas Montgomery Bell of the 9th Congressional District. After learning he was 2 months and 12 days too young, he opted to attend [Riverside Military Academy first, then entered the [United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1928.

Naval career

Before becoming a naval aviator, McDonald was assigned to the battleship and the battleship. He spent three years, from 1935 to 1938, as a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida. Between 1938 and 1955, he served as flag secretary of the aircraft command of the United States Atlantic Fleet, commander of the Naval Operational Training Command, executive officer of the aircraft carrier in the Pacific and assistant chief of staff for operations of the United States Pacific Fleet.
During the mid-1950s, McDonald commanded the aircraft carrier. In the early 1960s, before becoming Chief of Naval Operations, he served as Commander, United States Sixth Fleet. At the time of his selection as Chief of Naval Operations, he was the youngest full admiral in the navy, and had only received his fourth star a month prior.
In 1976, nearly a decade after he retired, McDonald wrote in his autobiography of his participation in the escalation of the Vietnam War:
The airfield at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, is named after McDonald.

Awards