Uniform Grouping of a Four Time Navy Cross Recipient- VADM Glynn R. Donaho, USN – SOLD

Description

Uniform Grouping of a Four Time Navy Cross Recipient- Glynn R. Donaho.

Glynn Robert Donaho (1905 – 1986),  U.S. Naval Academy Graduate, Class of 1927.  His first assignment in the Navy was aboard the USS California (BB-44), then transferred to the Submarine Training School at New London, Connecticut in 1930.  The following years Donaho was the navigator on several early submarines, and, after post grad school he served on the staff of the Commander Submarine Squadron 4 (1937-1940), than as the executive officer in the USS R-14 (SS-91) from 1940-41.

The USS Flying Fish (SS-229), a Gato Class sub, was launched at Portsmouth Naval Base on 9 July, 1941, and her first commanding officer was Glynn Donaho, and was there for her fitting out in November of 1941, and commanded the Flying Fish for five combat patrols in the Pacific Theater until May of 1943. By this date, Donaho had been promoted to lieut. commander, and commander.

Donaho’s next assignment in 1944, was two-fold; taking command of the USS Picuda (SS-382), on her 3rd combat patrol, and command of the Submarine Division 222,  contributing greatly to the success of 18 combat patrols, resulting in the sinking of 280,000 tons of Japanese naval and merchant shipping from the period October 1944, to May 1945, and then holding the rank of captain.

Shortly after the war, Captain Donaho was called to be a witness for the prosecution in the court martial trial of Captain McVay, commander of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35).  Donaho testified that zigzagging would not have prevented the sinking of the Indianapolis, which was sunk by the Japanese submarine, I-58 (commanded by Mochitsura Hashimoto). It was then USS Indianapolis had just completed its secret mission to deliver enriched uranium to Titian which was used in the final assembly of Little Boy, the first Atomic Bomb about to be dropped on Japan.

In the post war years Captain Donaho had several assignments; Director of Recruiting, 1945-48; commander Submarine Squadron 3, 1948-1950; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (International Division), June-August 1950; Foreign Military Aid Branch, Office CNO, 1951-53;  Commander Destroyer Squadron 17, 1953-1955; Chief of Staff, Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet, January to December 1955; Command of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines, 1955-1957, and promoted to rear admiral in 1957; Commander Destroyer Flotilla 3, 1957 -1958; Director of Logistics Plans Division- Office of CNO, 1958-1959;  Director of Naval Administration 1959 – 1962; Naval Inspector General, 1962- 1964.

Donaho had been promoted to vice admiral in 1963, and his final assignment was Commander Military Sea Transportation Service, July 1964 to his retirement from the Navy on April 1, 1967.

Admiral & Mrs Donaho lived in Washington, D.C. and then McLean, Virginia until 1978, before moving to Sierra Vista, Arizona. Admiral Donaho died on May 26, 1986, and in accordance with his wishes, he was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific from the fantail of a United States Submarine.

Glynn Robert Donaho was awarded the Navy Cross, for extraordinary heroism four time during his WWII service. The first three Navy Crosses were awarded as commander of the Flying Fish, and the last commanding the USS Picuda.  His decorations and other medals are as follows:

Navy Cross with 3 gold stars, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with 1 gold star, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with 1 gold star & “V”(valor) device, Navy Unit Commendation Medal with 1 silver and 2 bronze service stars, American Defense Service Medal with Atlantic Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 silver & 2 bronze service stars,  WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Korea Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal.

Admiral Donaho’s uniform has, in addition to all the correct ribbons, his Submariner’s Badge hallmark- “MEYER /1/20 10K STERLING”(clutch back), The MEYER Shield is the earlier WWII era pattern, and look like late war, and just into post war, not a 60’s piece. He had this a long time, as a great deal of the gold wash has worn away.

Submarine Combat Patrol Badge hallmark- STERLING (clutch back), with 2 gold & 1 silver stars.  The hallmark is stamped upside-down. The back of the patrol stars are cut and peened down in place. Untouched patina, and this too can be from late war -early post war period.

The Khaki dacron-wool uniform coat was made by the U.S. Navy Naval Uniform Shop, Brooklyn, New York and delivered to the admiral to his home in Arlington, Va on 7/16/64 (perhaps the most instructive tailor’s label we’ve seen). The buttons are made by Waterbury Button Co., Waterbury, Conn.  The quality coat has snaps on the corners of the breast pockets to hold them down in place. The shoulder boards are firmly affixed to the shoulders  and I did not try to remove them. Condition overall is Fine with just the lightest wear in the back.

The cap is made by ART CAPS, New York, in a size 7 1/8. Vice Admiral Donaho’s card is still in place in the plastic slot in the crown protector. The bullion work in in fine condition with some age toning. Overall a great cap.

Paper items include:

• 1930 dated Submarine Training School certificate from New London, Conn., signed by officers in charge.
• 1931 photo ID card from the Sub Base, Coco Solo, Canal Zone, signed by Donaho, and officially stamped.
• Late WWII photo ID card as captain, signed, and plasticized, holding a 4-leaf clover, and a picture of his wife.
• FIVE GRANDER Card, give to Captain Donaho, dated February, 29, 1952, for participation of the 5000th dive of the USS Flying Fish ” on this operationally historic occasion of her 5000th dive. Signed y R.W. Phipps, Commanding Officer.  On the back is a note, written in Pencil by Donaho to his wife, “Sugar, I don’t won’t this, destroy if U don’t  GD.”  (Thank You Mrs. Donaho!).
• Launching cover for the USS Flying Fish, cancelled on July 9, 1941, at Portsmouth Naval Yard.  I added this piece just to have something from the Flying Fish.
• Signed 8 x 10 glossy of Vice Admiral Donaho, taken 4/22/66.
• 8 x 10 glossy of Commander Donaho with Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, dated Sept. 22, 1943 at Pearl Harbor.
• 8 x 10 glossy of Rear Admiral Donaho inspecting bedding aboard the USS Bryce Canyon (AD-36), 1965.
• 8 x 10 glossy of Donaho, congratulating Rear Adm. Robert Taylor Keith, taking over command at Subic Bay, Philippines, 1957.
• Certificate, Ancient Order of the Deep, dated 5 Nov., 1942, for going south of the Equator, during offensive operations against the Japanese, on the USS Flying Fish.  Signed by Donaho.
• An incredible 46 inch panoramic view of Submarine Squadron 222, with all the subs, officer’s and crews, along with their submarine tender USS Sperry (AS-12), and the Submarine Rescue Ship USS Greenlet (ASR-10). There are os rough areas along the far right lower corner, and a few creases in the photo.  I thought about getting this reproduced, as I believe is sold in small quantity, could bring good money to sub collectors.

This is the most historic naval uniform I’ve owned for a highly decorated submariner. Makes for a fabulous display. An absolute honor and privilege to have had this in my collection.