Glynn R. Donaho
Encyclopedia
Glynn Robert "Donc" Donaho (March 25, 1905 - May 26, 1986) was a U.S. Navy
officer known principally for his exploits as a submarine commander during World War II
, for which he received the Navy Cross
four times, the Silver Star
twice, and the Bronze Star
twice. Donaho was born in George, Texas
. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1927.
Donaho was the commander of the submarine
USS Flying Fish
(SS-229) during five war patrols in the Pacific during World War II. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the beginning of 1942 and to Commander in September of that year. In 1944, Donaho commanded a submarine division as well as the submarine USS Picuda
(SS-382) during her third war patrol.
After the war, Donaho testified as a witness at the court martial of Captain Charles Butler McVay III
, commander of the USS Indianapolis
(CA-35). Although he was called as a prosecution witness, Donaho's testimony was actually helpful to McVay. Both Donaho and Mochitsura Hashimoto
, the commander of I-58
, the Japanese submarine that sank the Indianapolis, testified that zigzagging would not have saved the Indianapolis.
Donaho was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1957 and to Vice Admiral in 1963. He retired from the Navy in 1967 and died in Sierra Vista, Arizona
on May 28, 1986.
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...
officer known principally for his exploits as a submarine commander during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, for which he received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
four times, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
twice, and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
twice. Donaho was born in George, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He graduated from 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...
in 1927.
Donaho was the commander of the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
USS Flying Fish
USS Flying Fish (SS-229)
USS Flying Fish , a Gato-class submarine, was the first submarine and second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the flying fish, a family of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move some distance through the air.The keel of...
(SS-229) during five war patrols in the Pacific during World War II. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the beginning of 1942 and to Commander in September of that year. In 1944, Donaho commanded a submarine division as well as the submarine USS Picuda
USS Picuda (SS-382)
USS Picuda , a Balao-class submarine, was originally named Obispo, making her the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the obispo, a spotted sting ray.-Construction and launching:...
(SS-382) during her third war patrol.
After the war, Donaho testified as a witness at the court martial of Captain Charles Butler McVay III
Charles B. McVay III
Rear Admiral Charles Butler McVay III was the Commanding Officer of the when it was lost in action in 1945, resulting in massive loss of life. After years of mental health problems he committed suicide...
, commander of the USS Indianapolis
USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
USS Indianapolis was a of the United States Navy. She holds a place in history due to the circumstances of her sinking, which led to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy...
(CA-35). Although he was called as a prosecution witness, Donaho's testimony was actually helpful to McVay. Both Donaho and Mochitsura Hashimoto
Mochitsura Hashimoto
Commander was an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy and the commander of several Japanese submarines during World War II including RO-44, I-158 and I-58.-Biography:Hashimoto was born in Kyoto as a younger son of a Shinto priest...
, the commander of I-58
Japanese submarine I-58
I-58 was a Japanese B3 type cruiser submarine that served in the final year of World War II. Modified to carry Kaiten manned torpedoes, she damaged two enemy destroyers with them, but her most significant success was the , sunk with conventional torpedoes on 30 July 1945...
, the Japanese submarine that sank the Indianapolis, testified that zigzagging would not have saved the Indianapolis.
Donaho was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1957 and to Vice Admiral in 1963. He retired from the Navy in 1967 and died in Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sierra Vista is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. According to 2007 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 43,044....
on May 28, 1986.
Awards and decorations
Known decorations and medals include:| Navy Cross Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all... |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Silver Star Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... |
Bronze Star |
External links
- Glynn R. Donaho U.S. Naval Historical Center, provides photos and biographical information on Vice Admiral Donaho.
- Information regarding Donaho's testimony at Captain McVay's court martial.
- Additional information regarding Donaho's testimony at Captain McVay's court martial.