Wesley L. McDonald

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Wesley L. McDonald
born 1924

Wesley L. McDonald
(US Navy Photo)
Nickname Wes
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1946 - 1985
Rank Admiral
Commands held Attack Squadron VA-56
USS Coral Sea (CV-43) 1970-1971
U.S. Second Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet 1982-1985
U.S. Atlantic Command 1982-1985
Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic 1982-1985
Battles/wars Operation Pierce Arrow (Vietnam War)
Urgent Fury (Grenada)
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Other work Business Executive/Advisor/Fellow

Wesley L. McDonald (born 1924) is a retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral and naval aviator.

Contents

[edit] Early years

McDonald graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and married his high school sweetheart.[1] He began his career as a naval aviator in 1950, serving in several carrier fighter and attack squadrons.[2] In 1964, McDonald was the skipper of Attack Squadron VA-56 flying A-4 Skyhawks aboard the USS Ticonderoga.[3][4][5] On August 5, 1964, he served as a flight leader for Operation Pierce Arrow, the first retaliatory strike against North Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin incident.[2] McDonald led his Skyhawk strike force against oil tanks at Vinh, destroying 90% of the facility.[6]

[edit] Senior leader

McDonald's career led him to the highest levels of the U.S. Navy's command structure. He attended the National Defense University's National War College, graduating with the class of 1969.[7] From 1970 to 1971, he commanded the USS Coral Sea.[8][9] In 1972, as a rear admiral, McDonald was assigned as the carrier group commander.[10] He later served as deputy chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. in 1975.[2] In 1978, as Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, he embarked on the USS Arthur W. Radford on the way to NATO exercises in the North Atlantic.[11] In 1982, McDonald was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), one of two supreme commanders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.[12] At the same time, he assumed command of the U.S. Atlantic Command (CINCLANT) and U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT). In 1983, McDonald, in his role as CINCLANT, was placed in overall command of Operation Urgent Fury—the invasion of Grenada to rescue U.S. nationals.[13][14] He later summed up the success of the operation in an address before the House Armed Services Committee.

“ History should reflect that the operation was a complete success. All phases of the assigned mission were accomplished. U.S. citizens were protected and evacuated. The opposing forces were neutralized. The situation stabilized with no additional Cuban intervention. U.S. students have returned to resume their studies at the medical school and tourism is steadily increasing. And, most importantly, a lawful, democratic government has been restored.[13] ”
Admiral Wesley McDonald speaks at the presentation of the 1984 Batternberg Cup to the crew of the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61). (USN Photo)
Admiral Wesley McDonald speaks at the presentation of the 1984 Batternberg Cup to the crew of the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61). (USN Photo)

McDonald was the last U.S. Navy admiral to command all three organizations (Allied Atlantic Command, U.S. Atlantic Command, and U.S. Atlantic Fleet) at the same time.[15] He relinquished command of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet to Admiral Carlisle A.H. Trost, USN, on October 4, 1985,[15] and command of the U.S. Atlantic Command and Allied Atlantic Command to Admiral Lee Baggett Jr. in November 1985.[16]

[edit] Later years

Since his retirement from the Navy in 1985, McDonald played an active role in the aviation community in his leadership positions with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the National Aviation Club (NAC). He helped orchestrate a merger of interests between NAA and NAC bringing benefits to both organizations. McDonald has also served on the boards of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum and the Armed Services YMCA.[2] His first wife, Norma, died in 1989.[1] McDonald later remarried and currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife, Helen. He has one son and three daughters.

[edit] Honors

McDonald's awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and awards from several European and South American nations.[7] In 1990, McDonald was elected Grand Paramount Carabao, leader of the Military Order of the Carabao.[17] In 2004, McDonald was presented with the National Aeronautic Association's Cliff Henderson award for his 56 years of support to American aviation.[2][18] In 2007, the National Aeronautic Association renamed its Elder Statesman of Aviation Award in honor of McDonald, who was a past chairman of the organization.[19] McDonald is a Senior Fellow of the National Defense University.[7]

A number of awards are named in honor of McDonald, including:

  • The Admiral Wesley L. McDonald Leadership Award, jointly sponsored by Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, the San Joaquin Valley Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation (ANA) and the Greater Kings County Navy League.[20]
  • The Wesley L. McDonald Elder Stateman of Aviation Award, sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association.[19]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b Norma Joy McDonald Dies. The Washington Post, July 26, 1989, retrieved February 15, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cliff Henderson Award Notice. Atlantic Flyer, August 20, 2004, retrieved February 4, 2008.
  3. ^ Commander of Attack Squadron VA-56. James Stockdale Biography, retrieved February 14, 2008.
  4. ^ Alvarez, Chained Eagle, p. 9.
  5. ^ Grossnick, Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, p. 109.
  6. ^ Mersky, US Navy and Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk Units of the Vietnam War, Chapter 3.
  7. ^ a b c McDonald Biography. Stratizon Board of Advisors, retrieved February 16, 2008.
  8. ^ USS Coral Sea Commanding Officers. USS Coral Sea Tribute Site, retrieved February 4, 2008.
  9. ^ Coral Sea Commander. Navy Buddies USS Coral Sea page, retrieved February 14, 2008.
  10. ^ Birzer, US Navy A-7 Corsair II Units of the Vietnam War, p. 73.
  11. ^ Embarked on USS Authur W. Radford. Haze Gray & Underway DD-968 page, retrieved February 14, 2008.
  12. ^ NATO, Senior Officials in the NATO military structure, p. 9, retrieved February 14, 2008.
  13. ^ a b Grenada: Operation Urgent Fury FAQ Naval Historical Center, retrieved February 14, 2008.
  14. ^ Cole, Operation Urgent Fury Grenada, p. 3.
  15. ^ a b SACLANT Historical Note Naval Historical Center, retrieved February 4, 2008.
  16. ^ NATO SACLANT Commanders NATO web site, retrieved March 28, 2008.
  17. ^ Past Grand Paramount Carabaos Military Order of the Carabao, retrieved February 4, 2008
  18. ^ Awards. Naval Aviation News, Nov-Dec 2004, p. 29, retrieved February 13, 2008.
  19. ^ a b Elder Statesman of Aviation Award Renamed to Honor McDonald. National Aviation Club, retrieved February 7, 2008.
  20. ^ McDonald Leadership Award

[edit] References

[edit] External links