Patrick McGunigal

Patrick McGunigal (May 30, 1876 – January 19, 1936) was a sailor in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

McGunigal was born in Hubbard, Ohio on May 30, 1876 and died January 19, 1936. He retired from the Navy in 1920. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 6, lot 8674, map grid W/21.5.

Rank and organization: Shipfitter First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 30 May 1876, Hubbard, Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 341, 1917.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism while attached to the Huntington. On the morning of 17 September 1917, while the U.S.S. Huntington was passing through the war zone, a kite balloon was sent up with Lt. (j.g.) H. W. Hoyt, U.S. Navy, as observer. When the balloon was about 400 feet in the air, the temperature suddenly dropped, causing the balloon to descend about 200 feet, when it was struck by a squall. The balloon was hauled to the ship's side, but the basket trailed in the water and the pilot was submerged. McGunigal, with great daring, climbed down the side of the ship, jumped to the ropes leading to the basket, and cleared the tangle enough to get the pilot out of them. He then helped the pilot to get clear, put a bowline around him, and enabled him to be hauled to the deck. A bowline was lowered to McGunigal and he was taken safely aboard.