Donald H. Spangler
Encyclopedia
Donald Hays Spangler was an officer in the United States Navy
. Born in Albion, Indiana
, he was appointed midshipman
at the United States Naval Academy
on 8 July 1938 and commissioned ensign
on 19 December 1941. Ensign Spangler reported for duty on the USS Atlanta
(CL-51) at Boston, Massachusetts, on 3 January 1942. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) to date from 1 October 1942. Spangler was killed in action when Atlanta was heavily damaged during the night action off Savo Island
in the Solomons on 13 November 1942.
USS Spangler
(DE-696) was named in his honor.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Born in Albion, Indiana
Albion, Indiana
Albion is a town in Albion and Jefferson townships, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,349 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Noble County.-School:...
, he was appointed midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
at the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
on 8 July 1938 and commissioned ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
on 19 December 1941. Ensign Spangler reported for duty on the USS Atlanta
USS Atlanta (CL-51)
USS Atlanta of the United States Navy was the lead ship of the Atlanta class of 11 light cruisers. She was the third Navy ship named after the city of Atlanta, Georgia. Designed to provide anti-aircraft protection for US naval task groups, Atlanta served in this capacity in the naval Battles of...
(CL-51) at Boston, Massachusetts, on 3 January 1942. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) to date from 1 October 1942. Spangler was killed in action when Atlanta was heavily damaged during the night action off Savo Island
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, sometimes referred to as the Third and Fourth Battles of Savo Island, the Battle of the Solomons, The Battle of Friday the 13th, or, in Japanese sources, as the , took place from 12–15 November 1942, and was the decisive engagement in a series of naval battles...
in the Solomons on 13 November 1942.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer escortDestroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
USS Spangler
USS Spangler (DE-696)
USS Spangler was a of the United States Navy, named in honor of Lieutenant Donald H. Spangler .Spangler was laid down on 28 April 1943 at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, Michigan. She was launched on 15 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Myrtle Spangler; and commissioned on 31 October 1943,...
(DE-696) was named in his honor.