Glynn Robert Donaho (March 25, 1905 - May 26, 1986) was a U.S. Navy officer known principally for his exploits as a submarine commander during World War II, for which he received the Navy Cross four times, the Silver Star twice, and the Bronze Star twice. Donaho was born in George, Texas . He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927.

Donaho was the commander of the submarine USS Flying Fish (SS-229) during five war patrols in the Pacific during World War II. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the beginning of 1942 and to Commander in September of that year. In 1944, Donaho commanded a submarine division as well as the submarine USS Picuda during her third war patrol.

After the war, Donaho testified as a witness at the court martial of Captain Charles Butler McVay III, commander of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). Although he was called as a prosecution witness, Donaho's testimony was actually helpful to McVay. Both Donaho and Mochitsura Hashimoto, the commander of I-58, the Japanese submarine that sunk the Indianapolis, testified that zigzagging would not have saved the Indianapolis.

Donaho was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1957 and to Vice Admiral in 1963. He retired from the Navy in 1967 and died in Sierra Vista, Arizona on May 28, 1986.

References

• Silent victory: the U.S. submarine war against Japan, Clay Blair Jr. (Imprint Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2001)
• Abandon Ship! The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, the Navy's Greatest Sea Disaster, Richard F. Newcomb, (Harper Collins, 2001)

External links

• Glynn R. Donaho U.S. Naval Historical Center, provides photos and biographical information on Vice Admiral Donaho.
• Information regarding Donaho's testimony at Captain McVay's court martial.
• Additional information regarding Donaho's testimony at Captain McVay's court martial.