Bruce McCandless I was an officer of United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor during World War II for his heroism on board USS San Francisco during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. He retired with the rank of rear admiral. McCandless was the father of NASA astronaut Captain Bruce McCandless II, USN (Ret). Additionally, Admiral McCandless was the great-grandson of David Colbert McCanles of the Rock Creek Station, Nebraska, shoot-out with Wild Bill Hickok. After that incident, the McCanles family changed their name to McCandless and moved to Florence, Colorado.
Bruce McCandless
Admiral Chester Nimitz (center) visits Commander Herbert E. Schonland (left) and Lt. Commander Bruce McCandless on board the USS San Francisco at Pearl Harbor in December 1942. During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Schonland assumed command after the ship's Captain was killed, and led damage control efforts. McCandless, the ship's Communications Officer, navigated the ship to safety. Both Schonland and McCandless received the Medal of Honor for their actions during and immediately after the battle.
Admiral Ernest King, USN, presents the Medal of Honor to Commander McCandless, USN, December 12, 1942.
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
USS San Francisco (CL/CA-38), a New Orleans-class cruiser, was the second ship of three of the United States Navy named after the city of San Francisco, California. Commissioned in 1934, she was one of the most decorated ships of World War II, earning 17 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.
San Francisco off the Mare Island Shipyard on 13 October 1944
San Francisco (center) after being hit by a Japanese plane in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12 November 1942. Ship at left is President Jackson.
San Francisco off Adak Island in April 1943
San Francisco near Korea in 1945.
