Wesley L. McDonald
| Wesley L. McDonald | |
|---|---|
Official United States Navy photographic portrait of McDonald.
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Wes" |
| Born |
July 6, 1924 Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Died | February 8, 2009 (aged 84) Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1946-1985 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held |
Attack Squadron VA-56 USS Coral Sea (1970-1971) U.S. Second Fleet U.S. Atlantic Fleet (1982-1985) U.S. Atlantic Command (1982-1985) Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (1982-1985) |
| Battles/wars | Invasion of Grenada |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star |
| Other work | Business executive, advisor, fellow |
Wesley L. McDonald (July 6, 1924 – February 8, 2009) was a United States Navy admiral and naval aviator. He led the first air strike against North Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was the commander in charge of Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada to rescue American citizens.
McDonald was born in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 1924. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 and married his high school sweetheart. He began his career as a naval aviator in 1950, serving in several carrier fighter and attack squadrons. In 1964, McDonald was the skipper of Attack Squadron VA-56 flying A-4 Skyhawks aboard the USS Ticonderoga. On August 5, 1964, he served as a flight leader for Operation Pierce Arrow, the first retaliatory strike against North Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. McDonald led his Skyhawk strike force against oil tanks at Vinh, destroying 90% of the facility.
McDonald's career led him to the highest levels of the United States Navy's command structure. He attended the National Defense University's National War College, graduating with the class of 1969. From 1970 to 1971, he commanded the USS Coral Sea. In 1972, as a rear admiral, McDonald was assigned as the carrier group commander. He later served as deputy chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. in 1975. In 1978, as Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, he embarked on the USS Arthur W. Radford on the way to NATO exercises in the North Atlantic. In 1982, McDonald was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), one of two supreme commanders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. At the same time, he assumed command of the U.S. Atlantic Command (CINCLANT) and U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT). In 1983, McDonald, in his role as CINCLANT, was placed in overall command of Operation Urgent Fury—the invasion of Grenada to rescue U.S. nationals. He later summed up the success of the operation in an address before the House Armed Services Committee.
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