Donald A . Gary Commander Donald Arthur Gary ( July 23 , 1901 – April 9 , 1977 ) was an officer of the United States Navy during World War II . He received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the fires on on March 19 , 1945 . Biography . Gary was born in Findlay , Ohio , on July 23 , 1901 . He enlisted in the Navy in December 1919 and served continuously in the enlisted ranks until November 1943 , when he received a commission as a Lieutenant , Junior Grade . In 1943 and 1944 , Lt ( jg ) Gary was assigned to the Third Naval District and as an inspector of machinery at the Babcock and Wilcox Company . In December 1944 , he was sent to the aircraft carrier " Franklin " as an engineering officer . When that ship was severely damaged by Japan ese air attack on March 19 , 1945 , Lt ( jg ) Gary discovered 300 men trapped in a blackened mess compartment and , finding an exit , returned repeatedly to lead groups to safety . Gary later organized and led fire - fighting parties to battle the inferno on the hangar deck and entered number three fireroom to raise steam in one boiler , braving extreme hazards in so doing . For his heroism on that occasion , he was awarded the Medal of Honor in February 1946 . Subsequently promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander , Gary remained with " Franklin " until she was decommissioned in February 1947 . He was then assigned to the Naval Disciplinary Barracks at Terminal Island , California , where he served until relieved of active duty pending retirement , which took place in June 1950 . On the basis of his combat awards , he was advanced to the rank of Commander upon retirement . Commander Donald A . Gary died in 1977 . Namesake . In 1983 , the guided missile frigate was named in honor of Donald A . Gary . Medal of Honor citation . For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an Engineering Officer attached to the U . S . S . Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft during the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe , Japan , March 19 , 1945 . Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a series of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs , rockets and ammunition by the hostile attack , Lieutenant Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with smoke , and with no apparent egress . As the imperiled men below decks became increasingly panic - stricken under the raging fury of incessant explosions , he confidently assured them he would find a means of effecting their release and , groping through the dark , debris - filled corridors , ultimately discovered an escapeway . Staunchly determined , he struggled back to the messing compartment three times despite menacing flames , flooding water and the ominous threat of sudden additional explosions , on each occasion calmly leading his men through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved . Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows , he constantly rallied others about him , repeatedly organized and led fire - fighting parties into the blazing inferno on the flight deck and , when firerooms 1 and 2 were found to be inoperable , entered the No . 3 fireroom and directed the raising of steam in one boiler in the face of extreme difficulty and hazard . An inspiring and courageous leader , Lieutenant Gary rendered self - sacrificing service under the most perilous conditions and , by his heroic initiative , fortitude and valor , was responsible for the saving of several hundred lives . His conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service .