The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
SCHONLAND, HERBERT EMERY
Rank and Organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S.
San Francisco Place and Date Savo Island, 12-13 November 1943. Entered service
at. Maine. Born: 7 September 1900, Portland, Maine.
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 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.
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