Bruce McCandless earned the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Savo island off of Guadalcanal when he recovered from unconsciousness after a shell hit the bridge of the USS San Francisco, killing all of the more senior commanders, took command himself, got the ship back in the fight and led the fleet’s attack against the Japanese Navy, ensuring American victory in the battle.

McCandless commanded the USS San Francisco and then the USS Gregory, upon which he earned the Silver Star for leading his ship at the Battle of Okinawa, where it was attacked by four kamikazes. 

McCandless was the son of Commodore Byron McCandless, who had earned the Navy Cross in World War I. His son, Bruce McCandless II, was an American astronaut who conducted the first untethered space walk in 1982. Honor and remember them all!