On June 4, 1944, off the coast of French West Africa, LTJG Albert David led a daring boarding party onto a damaged and still-moving German U-boat U-505. Fully aware it might explode or sink at any moment, David plunged through the hatch under threat of gunfire and sabotage charges. He and his team worked quickly to keep the sub afloat, allowing the Navy to tow it back to the U.S., marking the first capture of an enemy warship at sea by the U.S. Navy since 1815. For his fearless leadership, David was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the U.S.S. Pillsbury during the capture of an enemy German submarine off French West Africa, 4 June 1944. Taking a vigorous part in the skillfully coordinated attack on the German U-505 which climaxed a prolonged search by the Task Group, Lt. (then Lt. jg) David boldly led a party from the Pillsbury in boarding the hostile submarine as it circled erratically at five or six knots on the surface. Fully aware that the U-boat might momentarily sink or be blown up by exploding demolition and scuttling charges, he braved the added danger of enemy gunfire to plunge through the conning tower hatch and, with his small party, exerted every effort to keep the ship afloat and to assist the succeeding and more fully equipped salvage parties in making the U-505 seaworthy for the long tow across the Atlantic to a U.S. port. By his valiant service during the first successful boarding and capture of an enemy man-o-war on the high seas by the U.S. Navy since 1815, Lt. David contributed materially to the effectiveness of our Battle of the Atlantic and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons & Jeremy Atherton

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