Patrick McGunigal-Arlington, VA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 52.518 W 077° 04.176
18S E 320467 N 4304974
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient for action at sea on the USS Huntington in the war zone on September 17, 1917. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Section 6, Site 8674.
Waymark Code: WMWPYY
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 09/29/2017
Views: 0
He was born on May 30, 1876 in Hubbard, OH and died on January 19, 1936. He attained the rank of Carpenter. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: McGUNIGAL, PATRICK
Rank and Organization: Shipfitter First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 30 May 1876, Hubbard, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G. O. No.: 341, 1917.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Huntington. On the morning of 17 September 1917, while the U.S.S. Huntington was passing through the war zone, a kite balloon was sent up with Lt. (j.g.) H. W. Hoyt, U.S. Navy, as observer. When the balloon was about 400 feet in the air, the temperature suddenly dropped, causing the balloon to descend about 200 feet, when it was struck by a squall. The balloon was hauled to the ship's side, but the basket trailed in the water and the pilot was submerged. McGunigal, with great daring, climbed down the side of the ship, jumped to the ropes leading to the basket, and cleared the tangle enough to get the pilot out of them. He then helped the pilot to get clear, put a bowline around him, and enabled him to be hauled to the deck. A bowline was lowered to McGunigal and he was taken safely aboard.
Armed Service: Navy
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