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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

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

Captain William L. McGonagle, USN, (1925-1999)

William Loren McGonagle was born in Wichita, Kansas, on 19 November 1925 and attended secondary school and college in California. He was active in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and was commissioned in the rank of Ensign upon graduation from the University of Southern California in June 1947. After service in the destroyer Frank Knox and minesweeper Partridge during 1947-50, he served in the minesweeper Kite during the extensive Korean War minesweeping operations that earned her a Presidential Unit Citation. From 1951 to 1966, he was assigned to various positions ashore and afloat, including command of the fleet tug Mataco in 1957-58 and the salvage ship Reclaimer in 1961-63.

In April 1966, Commander McGonagle became Commanding Officer of the technical research ship Liberty, taking her on a number of communications and electronic emissions monitoring missions during the next year. On 8 June 1967, while carrying out her important function off the Sinai Peninsula during the war between Israel and Egypt, Liberty was attacked and severely damaged by Israeli aircraft and motor torpedo boats. For his heroism on that occasion, Commander McGonagle was awarded the Medal of Honor and his ship received the Presidential Unit Citation.

After promotion to the rank of Captain in October 1967, McGonagle commanded the new ammunition ship Kilauea and led the NROTC Unit at the University of Oklahoma. He retired from active duty in 1974. Captain William L. McGonagle died at Palm Springs, California, on 3 March 1999.

This page features our only views of Captain William L. McGonagle, USN.


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

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 97472

Captain William Loren McGonagle, USN


Portrait photograph, dated 4 October 1967.
Captain McGonagle has inscribed this photograph: "To The Navy Memorial Museum, W.L. McGonagle, Captain, U.S. Navy, 12 June 1968".

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 90KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97474

Commander William L. McGonagle, USN
,
Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5)

In his cabin on board the ship, 11 June 1967.
Note damage received when Israeli forces attacked the Liberty off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 525 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97476

Commander William L. McGonagle, USN
,
Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5)

Points out damage inflicted on the ship's superstructure when Israeli forces attacked the Liberty off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June 1967.
The photograph was taken on 16 June, two days after Liberty arrived at Valletta, Malta, for repairs.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 525 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Captain William L. McGonagle:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer, USS Liberty (AGTR-5) in the Eastern Mediterranean on 8-9 June 1967. Sailing in international waters, the Liberty was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and motor torpedo boats which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Captain (then Commander) McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command. Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle's extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the Liberty's crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to conn his ship for more than seventeen hours. It was only after rendezvous with a United States destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the Liberty and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Captain McGonagle's superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant leadership saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."


In addition to the images presented above, the National Archives appears to hold at least two other views of Captain William L. McGonagle, USN. The following list features those images:

The images listed below are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • U.S. Navy Photo #: KN-22055
    Captain William L. McGonagle, USN.
    Portrait photograph, from mid-chest up, taken by G.D. Hughes, 19 June 1974. Captain McGonagle is wearing his officer's hat and ribbons.
    This photograph should be available in color.

  • U.S. Navy Photo #: KN-22056
    Captain William L. McGonagle, USN.
    Portrait photograph, from upper waist up, taken by G.D. Hughes, 19 June 1974. Captain McGonagle is wearing his officer's hat and medals, including the Medal of Honor.
    This photograph should be available in color.


    Reproductions of these images should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The images listed in this box are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • 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 14 January 2001