Eller, Donald Temple, RADM

WWII, Korea, Viet Nam veteran U.S. Naval Officer; Rear Admiral; married to Dorothy Wood. He grew up in Petersburg, Virginia, where he attended public schools. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929, he had a distinguished Naval career. As a Lieutenant Commander commanding the destroyer USS Burns during World War II, it sank an entire convoy of four enemy ships in the Marshall Islands area on January 31, 1944 after it had rescued Navy fliers forced down at sea. It also participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands and operations on the Marianas Islands. He subsequently served during the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. At the time of his retirement, he had been promoted to Rear Admiral. Upon his death, Admiral Eller's ashes were buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Later, some ashes were also buried at Pohick Church, next to the body of his wife.

Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Burns (DD-588)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander [then Commander] Donald Temple Eller, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. BURNS (DD-588), during a War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters. Skillfully maneuvering his vessel to strike at enemy shipping, Captain Eller launched a bold, aggressive attack in the face of heavy and persistent hostile countermeasures, to sink an entire Japanese convoy including one tanker, one supply ship and two smaller craft. His inspiring leadership and devotion to the fulfillment of his hazardous mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Legion of Merit
Service: Navy
Rank: Rear Admiral
General Orders: All Hands (July 1964)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Donald Temple Eller, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics and Administration, Allied Forces Southern Europe from 17 September 1961 to 15 April 1964. Confronted with a myriad of challenging, complicated and extraordinary problems, both operational and administrative, evolving from the tactical and support requirements of the joint six-nation force which comprises the Southern Region of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Rear Admiral Eller, through his outstanding professional competence, perseverance and diplomacy, successfully overcame all major obstacles to insure for Allied Forces Southern Europe the most productive logistical and administrative resources and systems obtainable to support the operational commitments of the command.