McDonald, Wesley Lee, ADM

Deceased
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
18 kb
View Shadow Box View Printable Shadow Box View Time Line
Last Rank
Admiral
Last Rating/NEC Group
Line Officer
Primary Unit
1982-1985, 9421, Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command (USCINCLANT)
Service Years
1943 - 1985
Admiral Admiral

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

28 kb


Home State
District Of Columbia
Year of Birth
1924
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by Thomas Rigg, YN1 to remember McDonald, Wesley Lee, ADM.

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
Washington, DC
Date of Passing
Feb 09, 2009
 
Location of Interment
Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates
7A 130-D

 Official Badges 




 Unofficial Badges 




 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
National Cemetery Administration (NCA)United States Navy Memorial Military Order of the Carabao
  2009, National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
  2018, United States Navy Memorial - Assoc. Page
  2018, Military Order of the Carabao


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:


[From the Washington Post 2009]

McDonald, Admiral Wesley L. USN (Ret.) passed away peacefully on February 8, 2009 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Helen, and children, Tom, Kathy, Joy and Toni, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. McDonald graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. He began his Navy career as a naval aviator in 1950, serving in several carrier fighter and attack squadrons. In 1964, he took command of Attack Squadron VA-56 flying A-4 Skyhawks aboard USS Ticonderoga. On August 5, 1964 he served as flight leader for Operation Pierce Arrow, the first retaliatory strike against North Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. McDonald's career led him to the highest levels of the United States Navy. He attended the National Defense University graduating in 1969. From 1970-1971 he commanded the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea. In 1972, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, serving as the carrier group commander. He later served as deputy chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC and after promotion to Vice Admiral served as Commander U.S. Second Fleet. In 1982, he was promoted to Admiral and was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, one of two senior commanders in NATO. At the same time, he assumed command of the U.S. Atlantic Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In 1983 McDonald, in his role as Commander in Chief of the Atlantic, was placed in overall command of Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada to rescue U.S. nationals. 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 and National Aviation Club. McDonald also served on the boards of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum and the Armed Services YMCA. His first wife, Norma, died in 1989. McDonald later remarried and lived in Arlington, Virginia with his wife Helen. McDonald's awards included 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.
 

   
Other Comments:


Outline of major duties and commands other than that of pilot:
Instructor: NABTC NAS Pensacola  10/48-8/50
Maintenance Officer: VFA-192  6/57-7/59
Instructor: Naval War College  7/59-6/60
Flag Secretary and Aide: Carrier Division 3  6/60-7/62
Executive Officer: VA-56  1/63-2/64
Commanding Officer: VA-56  2/64-3/65
Operation Officer: Readiness Attack Carrier Airwing 12  3/65-7/65
Commanding Officer: USS Hermitage (LSD-34)  7/69-9/70
Commanding Officer: USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)  9/70-10/71
Commander: Carrier Division 3  9/72-1/74
Deputy Chief of Personnel: Bureau of Naval Personnel  8/75-7/77
Commander: US 2nd Fleet  7/77-7/79
Deputy Chief Management Officer: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations  7/70-10/82
Commander in Chief: Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, US Atlantic Command, US Atlantic Fleet  10/82-11/85

   

 Tributes from Members  
From YN1 Thom Rigg posted by Myers, Sheila Rae (TWS Memorial Team), HM3 92
 Photo Album   (More...


  1960-1962, 131X, Carrier Division 3 (COMCARDIV 3)

Lieutenant Commander

From Month/Year
June / 1960

To Month/Year
July / 1962

Unit
Carrier Division 3 (COMCARDIV 3) Unit Page

Rank
Lieutenant Commander

NEC
131X-Unrestricted Line Officer - Pilot

Base, Station or City
Not Specified

State/Country
Not Specified
 
 
 Patch
 Carrier Division 3 (COMCARDIV 3) Details

Carrier Division 3 (COMCARDIV 3)
The aircraft carrier Wasp was assigned to Carrier Division Three from November 1940. In April 1941, a Central Atlantic Neutrality Patrol was established under Admiral A.B. Cook, based at Bermuda. It comprised Carrier Division Three, the cruisers Quincy and Vincennes, and Destroyer Squadron 11.[13] On 7 December 1941, in the Atlantic Fleet, Carrier Division Three comprises Wasp and Ranger under Rear Admiral A.B. Cook.[14] Commander Carrier Division Three served as Commander Task Force 77 during the Korean War. In 1966, Carrier Division Three was embarked aboard USS Enterprise flying missions in the Gulf of Tonkin off Vietnam. Carrier Group Three On 30 June 1973, Carrier Division 3 was re-designated Carrier Group 3. U.S.

Type
Combat - Sea
 

Parent Unit
Major Commands

Strength
Division

Created/Owned By
Not Specified
   

Last Updated: Sep 15, 2018
   
Memories For This Unit

Other Memories
LCDR McDonald was Flag Secretary and Aide

   
Yearbook
 
My Photos For This Unit
No Available Photos
6 Members Also There at Same Time
Carrier Division 3 (COMCARDIV 3)

Maxwell, Joe, PO2, (1959-1962) YN YN-2526 Petty Officer Second Class
Volbrecht, Dean, PO2, (1957-1960) RM RM-0000 Petty Officer Second Class
Daniels, Dick, PO3, (1959-1963) RM RM-0000 Seaman
Hallman, James, CPO, (1957-1991) QM QM-0000 Seaman
Coulliette, James, AN, (1962-1969) AN AN-0000 Airman
Vraciu, Alexander, CDR, (1941-1963) OFF Commander

Copyright Togetherweserved.com Inc 2003-2011