Richard Miles McCool Jr. received the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. LSC(L)(3)-122 during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Ryukyu chain on 10 and 11 June 1945. During hostile air raids against allied ships on radar picket duty off Okinawa on 10 June, Lt. McCool aided materially in evacuating all survivors from a sinking destroyer that had sustained mortal damage under devastating attacks. When his own craft was attacked simultaneously by two enemy suicide aircraft early in the evening of 11 June, he hurled the full power of his gun batteries against the plunging planes, shooting down the first and damaging the second before it crashed his station in the conning tower and engulfed the immediate area in flames. Although suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he rallied his concussion-shocked crew, initiated vigorous firefighting measures, rescued several men trapped in a blazing compartment, and carried one man to safety despite the excruciating pain of additional severe burns. Unmindful of personal danger, he continued without respite until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated. Through staunch leadership, capable direction, and indomitable determination throughout the crisis, he saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished and contributed materially to saving his ship for further combat service.