Donald John Macdonald

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Commander [then Lieutenant Commander], U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O’BANNON (DD-450), during operations in the Solomon Islands Area on the night of 17 – 18 August 1943. When an enemy Japanese force of four destroyers and a large number of landing barges endeavored under cover of night to reinforce the enemy garrisons in the Vella Lavella-Kolombangara Area, Commander MacDonald, with exceptional tactical skill under relentless gun and torpedo fire, led the O’BANNON in a brilliant interception of the hostile vessels. He fought his ship gallantly and contributed to the destruction of two destroyers, severe damage to a third and the annihilation of a number of landing barges. Having routed the enemy, he brought his vessel through this vital engagement unscathed. The superb leadership and unflinching courage displayed by Commander MacDonald and the loyal devotion to duty of his crew reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 331 (October 1944)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Donald John MacDonald, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. O’BANNON (DD-450), during operations in Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, on 4, 5 and 6 July 1943. When a cruiser of his task force was torpedoed during an effective bombardment of enemy positions off Kula Gulf, Lieutenant Commander MacDonald skillfully maneuvered the O’BANNON close to the sinking vessel in order to screen another destroyer assisting in the hazardous rescue operations. Through his superior tactical knowledge and daring initiative, he enabled this destroyer to carry out her mission undamaged, although his own ship was being subjected to intense fire from enemy coastal batteries and the entire rescue detachment bombed by hostile aircraft. Twenty-four hours later, the same task group participated in a fierce engagement with a numerically superior Japanese naval force and succeeded in sinking or severely damaging all of the hostile vessels. The brilliant leadership displayed by Lieutenant Commander MacDonald and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the success of our forces in these vital campaigns and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 321 (December 1943) & 332 (November 1944)