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PAPA, whose crucial mission was to deny to
General Noriega and his associates the use of Paitilla Airfield as an avenue of escape from Panama. After insertion from sea by rubber raiding craft, Golf Platoon was patrolling toward their objective, a hangar housing General Noriega's aircraft, when they were engaged by heavy small arms fire. Realizing that most of the first squad, 25 meters north of his position, had been wounded, he left the relative safety of his own position in order to assist the wounded lying helplessly exposed. Under heavy enemy fire and with total disregard for his personal safety, Chief Petty Officer McFaul moved forward into the kill zone and began carrying a seriously wounded platoon member to safety. As he was nearing the safety of his own force's perimeter, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Chief Petty Officer McFaul's heroic actions and courage under fire saved his teammate's life and were an inspiration for other acts of heroism as the assault force prevailed in this decisive battle. By his extraordinary bravery, personal sacrifice, and inspiring devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer McFaul reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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in the early morning hours of
December 20, 1989. According to his Navy Cross citation, he left a position of safety to assist team members under heavy enemy fire. He then carried another team member to safety, but was mortally wounded in the process. His actions saved that team member and were said
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For extraordinary heroism while serving as
Platoon Chief Petty Officer of Sea-Air-Land Team FOUR (SEAL-4), GOLF Platoon during Operation JUST CAUSE at Paitilla Airfield, Republic of Panama on 20 December 1989. Chief Petty Officer McFaul's platoon was an element of Naval Special Warfare Task Unit
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working for port services as an engine specialist. McFaul volunteered for
Special Warfare and was accepted in 1977. In spring of 1978 he attended
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for his heroism during the battle while pulling another SEAL to safety. Only two Navy
Crosses were awarded for the 1989 operations in Panama. The
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297:(BUD/S) and graduated with class 95. He was then assigned to SEAL Team ONE and did three tours of duty conducting special operations from
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Full Text
Citations For Award of The Navy Cross In Vietnam Era and Post-Vietnam War Actions
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600:"The U.S. and Panama: The Toll; Deaths of 23 Americans in Panama: Their Dreams Cut Short"
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areas. He returned to the Navy in 1988, attending a
Spanish language course at the
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Patricia, his wife, gave birth to his daughter Megan six days after his funeral.
539:(Portland, Oregon). Bend High Graduate Dies in Panama Battle. December 22, 1989.
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to inspire other heroic acts that led to the capture of the objective.
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Associated Press. Pentagon
Releases Names of Dead. December 26, 1989.
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301:. He left the navy from 1985 to 1988 living and working in the
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Donald L. McFaul online memorial (www.specialoperations.com)
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162:, Golf Platoon, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit PAPA
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690:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
685:American military personnel killed in action
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295:Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training
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420:Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
598:Malcolm, Andrew H. (January 8, 1990).
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675:United States Navy SEALs personnel
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73:Pajaro Valley Memorial Park
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362:Rank: Chief Petty Officer
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366:Awards & Decorations
273:was named to honor him.
16:US Navy SEAL (1957–1989)
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387:Naval Parachutist Badge
241:United States Navy SEAL
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442:Navy Unit Commendation
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319:Little Creek, Virginia
224:Navy Unit Commendation
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121:Years of service
577:Home of the Heroes.
431:Combat Action Ribbon
315:Monterey, California
245:Operation Just Cause
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174:Operation Just Cause
337:Navy Cross citation
237:Donald Lewis McFaul
626:www.cyberseals.org
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228:Good Conduct Medal
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54:(1989-12-20)
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323:Panama City
247:, the 1989
160:SEAL Team 4
59:Panama City
644:Categories
524:References
398:Navy Cross
257:Navy Cross
207:Navy Cross
83:Allegiance
35:1957-09-20
559:Ships bio
277:Biography
582:Archived
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503:See also
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101:Service/
303:Seattle
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269:McFaul
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