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Photo # NH 47977:  Carptenter Patrick McGunigal, USN

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Carpenter Patrick McGunigal, USN, (1876-1936)

Patrick McGunigal was born on 30 May 1876 in Hubbard, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state and, during the first part of World War I served as a Ship's Fitter First Class on board the armored cruiser Huntington. On 17 September 1917, while the ship was steaming in the war zone, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Henry W. Hoyt was aloft in a kite balloon when it suddenly dropped into the sea due to bad weather. McGunigal went over the ship's side and rescued the officer, who was trapped underwater in the balloon's rigging. For his "extraordinary heroism" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. In July 1918, McGunigal was promoted to the warrant rank of Carpenter, and was subsequently assigned to the Naval Air Stations at Montauk and Rockaway Beach, New York. Patrick McGunigal resigned as a warrant officer in December 1920. He died on 19 January 1936 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

This page features the only images we have concerning Patrick McGunigal.


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Photo #: NH 47977

Carpenter Patrick McGunigal, USN


A circa 1918 photograph taken at the time he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Montauk, Long Island. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" in saving a fellow crew member on 17 September 1917, while serving on USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5) as a Shipfitter First Class.
Photograph by D. Perel, Youngstown, Ohio.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 470 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105347

Carpenter Patrick McGunigal, USN


A circa 1918 photograph, taken at the time he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Montauk, Long Island. The gentleman next to him is unidentified.
McGunigal was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extraordinary heroism" in saving the life of a balloon pilot on 17 September 1917, while serving as a Shipfitter First Class on USS Huntington (Armored Cruiser # 5).
Photograph by D. Perel, Youngstown, Ohio.

Donation of Judy L. Brice, 1982, from the collection of John L. McGunigal.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 51KB; 470 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ship's Fitter First Class Patrick McGunigal, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 121):

"For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Huntington. On the morning of 17 September 1917, while the U.S.S. Huntington was passing through the war zone, a kite balloon was sent up with Lieutenant, Junior Grade, H.W. Hoyt, United States Navy, as observer. When the balloon was about 400 feet in the air, the temperature suddenly dropped, causing the balloon to descend about 200 feet, when 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. McGUNIGAL, with great daring, climbed down the side of the ship, jumped to the ropes leading to the basket, and cleared the tangle enough to get the pilot out of them. He then helped the pilot to get clear, put a bowline around him, and enabled him to be hauled to the deck. A bowline was lowered to McGUNIGAL and he was taken safely aboard."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 5 December 2007