Glynn R. Donaho
Glynn Robert Donaho (March 25, 1905 – May 26, 1986), nicknamed "Donc", was a United States Navy officer known principally for his exploits as a submarine commander during World War II, for which he received the Navy Cross four times, the Silver Star twice, and the Bronze Star Medal. Early life. Donaho was born in George, Texas. He entered United States Naval Academy on July 10, 1923 and graduated in 1927. He was commissioned Ensign, upon graduation. Military career. Donaho's first assignment was aboard the battleship from July 1927 to May 1930, followed by Submarine training at  the Submarine Training School at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, from June to December 1930. Donaho served as Navigator aboard the submarine from December 1930 to March 1933, and then as Navigator aboard the submarine from March 1933 to August 1934. His next assignment was as Navigator aboard the submarine . from August 1934 to June 1935, followed by Naval Postgraduate School at the United States Naval Academy from June 1935 to May 1937. Donaho served on the Staff of the Commander, Submarine Squadron 4 from June 1937 to May 1940, and then as Executive Officer aboard the submarine from  May 1940 to November 1941. World War II. Donaho became Commanding Officer of the submarine during her fitting out in November 1941. He led the submarine in five war patrols in the Pacific during World War II and sunk four vessels totaling 28,000 tons, and damaging two others totaling 12,620 tons. He was promoted to lieutenant commander at the beginning of 1942 and to commander in September of that year. In 1944, Donaho commanded Submarine Division 222 as well as the submarine , during her third war patrol. He had contributed materially to the success of 18 war patrols, which resulted  in the destruction of approximately 280,000 tons of enemy shipping and the damaging of an additional 80,000 tons. He again served with the Commander of Submarine Division 222 from October 1944 to May 1945, and then as Operations Officer with the Commander of Battleship Squadron 1 from May to October 1945. Post war. After the war, Donaho testified as a witness at the court martial of Captain Charles Butler McVay III, commander of the . Although he was called as a prosecution witness, Donaho's testimony was actually helpful to McVay. Both Donaho and Mochitsura Hashimoto, the commander of "I-58", the  Japanese submarine that sank the "Indianapolis," testified that zigzagging would not have saved the "Indianapolis." Donaho was the Director of the Recruiting Division in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., from October 1945 to May 1948, followed by service as the Commander of Submarine Squadron 3 from May 1948 to June 1950. Donaho served as Assistant for United Nations Matters in the International Affairs Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from June to August 1950, followed by National War College from August 1950 to June 1951. Donaho's next assignment was as Head of  the Foreign Military Aid Branch with the International Affairs Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from June 1951 to July 1953, and then as Commander of Destroyer Squadron 17 from July 1953 to January 1955. He served as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of United States Seventh Fleet from January to December 1955, followed by service as Commander of United States Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines from December 1955 to August 1957. Donaho was promoted to rear admiral in 1957. Donaho served as the Commander of Destroyer Flotilla 3 from August  1957 to September 1958, and then as Director of the Logistics Plans Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from September 1958 to September 1959. His next assignment was as Director of Naval Administration from September 1959 to September 1962, followed by service as Naval Inspector General from September 1962 to July 1964, during this time he was promoted to vice admiral in 1963. His final assignment was as Commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service from July 1964 until his retirement from the Navy on April 1, 1967. Later life. After his retirement from navy, Donaho  lived in Washington D.C. and McLean, Virginia until 1978, before moving to Sierra Vista, Arizona. Donaho died in Sierra Vista, Arizona, on May 26, 1986, due to pneumonia and heart ailment. In accordance to his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean from the fantail of a United States Navy submarine. Awards and decorations. First Navy Cross citation. His official first Navy Cross citation reads: Second Navy Cross citation. His official second Navy Cross citation reads: Third Navy Cross citation. His official third Navy Cross citation reads: Fourth Navy Cross citation. His official fourth  Navy Cross citation reads: