Richard Miles McCool Richard Miles McCool , Jr . ( January 4 , 1922 – March 5 , 2008 ) was a retired United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II . Biography . Richard M . McCool , Jr . was born on January 4 , 1922 in Oklahoma . McCool graduated from high school at the age of 15 . He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in political science . After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 , he was accepted into a new Navy ROTC program , and later was appointed to the Naval Academy . He graduated from the U . S . Naval Academy in 1944 ( his class of 1945 graduated a year early ) . By June 10 , 1945 , he was serving as a lieutenant on the , a Landing Craft Support ship . On that day , off the coast of Okinawa Island , McCool helped rescue the survivors of sinking destroyer . The next day , his own ship was hit by a Japan ese kamikaze . Although he suffered severe burns and shrapnel wounds in the initial explosion , McCool continued to lead his crew in the firefighting and rescue efforts until relief arrived . He also served in the Korean War and in the Vietnam War . He retired at the rank of Captain in 1974 after a 30 - year career . McCool died of natural causes on March 5 , 2008 at the age of 86 in a hospital in Bremerton , Washington . Medal of Honor citation . Lieutenant McCool ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the USS " LCS ( L ) ( 3 ) - 122 " during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Ryukyu chain , 10 and 11 June 1945 . Sharply vigilant during hostile air raids against Allied ships on radar picket duty off Okinawa on 10 June , Lt . McCool aided materially in evacuating all survivors from a sinking destroyer which had sustained mortal damage under the devastating attacks . When his own craft was attacked simultaneously by 2 of the enemy ' s suicide squadron early in the evening of 11 June , he instantly hurled the full power of his gun batteries against the plunging aircraft , shooting down the first and damaging the second before it crashed his station in the conning tower and engulfed the immediate area in a mass of flames . Although suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns , he rallied his concussion - shocked crew and initiated vigorous firefighting measures and then proceeded to the rescue of several trapped in a blazing compartment , subsequently carrying 1 man to safety despite the excruciating pain of additional severe burns . Unmindful of all personal danger , he continued his efforts without respite until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated . By his staunch leadership , capable direction , and indomitable determination throughout the crisis , Lt . McCool saved the lives of many who otherwise might have perished and contributed materially to the saving of his ship for further combat service . His valiant spirit of self - sacrifice in the face of extreme peril sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U . S . Naval Service .