Donald Hays Spangler (29 May 1918 – 13 November 1942) was an officer in the United States Navy. Born in Albion, Indiana, he was appointed midshipman at the United States Naval Academy on 8 July 1938 and commissioned ensign on 19 December 1941. Ensign Spangler reported for duty on the USS Atlanta (CL-51) at Boston, Massachusetts, on 3 January 1942. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) to date from 1 October 1942. Spangler was killed in action when Atlanta was heavily damaged during the night action off Savo Island in the Solomons on 13 November 1942.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS Spangler (DE-696) was named in his honor.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.