This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Carpenter, Donald Marshall (Doc), LCDR USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Hopbottom, PA
Last Address Coronado, Ca
Date of Passing Apr 04, 1940
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
Donald Marshall Carpenter was an early naval aviator in the United States Navy flying from the USS Langley (CV-1) and USS Lexington (CV-2). These were the first two aircraft carriers of the U.S. Navy.
He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in the Class of 1916, representing Pennsylvania. He is the namesake of the USS Carpenter (DD-825).
Medically retired in October 1936.
Other Comments:
On 18 June 1945, Mrs. Edward S. Shaw, sister of Carpenter’s widow Clara, wrote to Admiral King, then Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (who had commanded Lexington when Carpenter had commanded VS-3B) suggesting that a ship be named for the late leader of VP-5F’s historic flight in 1933, citing the "sincere respect" her brother-in-law had felt for King. "I sincerely hope you will not consider me presumptuous," she wrote, "but if you could lend your approval to such an honor for ‘Doc’ as we all knew him, I would appreciate it very much."
"Please do this if you can," King wrote to the Chief of Naval Personnel, who recommended the name assignment on 10 July 1945; consequently, on 14 July 1945, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal assigned the name Carpenter to DD-825.
In writing to Secretary Forrestal upon being informed of the naming of the ship, Carpenter’s widow wrote on 9 August 1945 of her “deep appreciation of the honor bestowed on my two sons and me in the naming of this ship for my late husband and I hope her record will be one of which to be proud...".
1934-1935, Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego, CA (NMCSD)
Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego, CA (NMCSD) Details
Redesignated NMC San Diego
From the original tent dispensary established in 1914 to the modern facility of today, Naval Medical Center San Diego's (NMCSD) mission has remained constant: provide the finest medical care in a family-centered environment to military service members, their families and those who served in the past.
1914 A tent dispensary manned by Navy personnel is established in Balboa Park to support the 4th Marine Regiment.
1917 Medical capabilities expand to support the newly commissioned Navy training camp in Balboa Park.
1919 Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels establishes war dispensary as a Naval Hospital.
1922 August 22, Naval Hospital opens with a 204 bed capacity.
1941 - 1945
World War II - More than 172,000 patients received treatment at the hospital. At the peak of WWII, as many as 5,000 patients were admitted each month.
1977 Congressman Bob Wilson authored and introduced legislation authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to negotiate with the City of San Diego to exchange existing properties in the hospital complex for other adjacent facilities.
1979 First public vote to approve hospital expansion failed to receive required two-thirds majority.
1980 Through Bob Wilson's leadership, the Navy received approval and Congress appropriated $293 million for hospital construction at the present Florida Canyon site.
1981 October 3, Navy and local leaders break ground on Hospital site.
1988
January 23, Naval Medical Center San Diego is dedicated.
January 30, Hospital officially opens as 200 patients move from the old hospital to the new facility.
