Herbert Emery Schonland | |
---|---|
Born | Portland, Maine, US | September 7, 1900
Died | November 13, 1984 New London, Connecticut, US | (aged 84)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1925–1947 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Unit | USS San Francisco (CA-38) |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Herbert Emery Schonland (September 7, 1900 – November 13, 1984) was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.
Schonland was born in Portland, Maine on September 7, 1900. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1925, as an ensign.[1]
After his retirement from the Navy, Schonland taught at the University of Santa Clara for several years and served as principal of the Drew School in San Francisco before moving to New London, Connecticut in 1958. Schonland and his wife Claire Mills (1908–1997) had a son and a daughter.[3]
Schonland died November 13, 1984, at age 84. He and his wife Claire are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.[4]
Medal of Honor | ||
Combat Action Ribbon | Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation | American Defense Service Medal w/ Fleet Clasp (3⁄16" Bronze Star) |
American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ one 3⁄16" Silver Star and one 3⁄16" Bronze Star |
World War II Victory Medal |
Schonland's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For extreme heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as damage control officer of the U.S.S. San Francisco in action against greatly superior enemy forces in the battle off Savo Island, 12–13 November 1942. In the same violent night engagement in which all of his superior officers were killed or wounded, Lt. Comdr. Schonland was fighting valiantly to free the San Francisco of large quantities of water flooding the second deck compartments through numerous shell holes caused by enemy fire. Upon being informed that he was commanding officer, he ascertained that the conning of the ship was being efficiently handled, then directed the officer who had taken over that task to continue while he himself resumed the vitally important work of maintaining the stability of the ship. In water waist deep, he carried on his efforts in darkness illuminated only by hand lanterns until water in flooded compartments had been drained or pumped off and watertight integrity had again been restored to the San Francisco. His great personal valor and gallant devotion to duty at great peril to his own life were instrumental in bringing his ship back to port under her own power, saved to fight again in the service of her country.[5]
The U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer School's Damage Control School in Newport, Rhode Island was named Schonland Hall in his honor. It is unusual for buildings to be named for someone who is still alive and in this case the event occurred near the end of his lifetime, yet he was alert enough to understand and participate in the process. There was no previous person who had ever been awarded the Medal of Honor for damage control. (John Carlton-Foss reporting a personal communication with Andrew Sims, Schonland's son in law)