Medal of Honor Citation

presidential citation

Presidential Citation: Text reads: "THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON / December 28, 1942 / The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to / COMMANDER HERBERT E. SCHONLAND UNITED STATES NAVY / for service as set forth in the following / CITATION: "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 Japanese forces in the Battle off Savo Island, November 12-13, 1942. In the same violent night engagement in which all of his superior officers were killed or wounded, Lieutenant Commander 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 water-tight 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 instumental in bringing his ship back to port under her own power, saved to fight again in the service of her country." Signed Franklin D Roosevelt