| Birth: | Aug. 25, 1897
Elgin
Kane County
Illinois, USA | | Death: | Nov. 26, 1977 | 
US Navy Rear Admiral. Ansel graduated from Elgin High School in 1915 and entered the United States Naval Academy where he graduated with the class of 1918. During World War I he served on the patrol craft USS Rambler, which engaged in anti-submarine operations off the coast of France as well convoy escort duty. After the war he was assigned to Destroyer Escort Force out of Brest, France. In 1930 he attended the Navy War College and in 1931 he attended the Marine Corps Field Officer Course. At the time of World War II Ansel was stationed at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operation. He was appointed the Commanding Officer of the newly commissioned Fleet Oiler U.S.S. Winooski. After serving on the Winooski until 1942 Ansel was transferred to the staff of Commander Advance Group, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet in the United Kingdom. This group became the Naval Port Support Group for the planned North Africa, Sicily and Southern France invasions. During the landings in Algeria in November of 1942 Ansel commanded the Advance Party which entered the small port of Arzeu in the wake of the assault units. The Advance Party secured the shipping and prepared the port for unloading operations. His next assignment was as Assistant Chief of Staff and Operations Officer on the staff of Commander, Amphibious Force, North African Waters. By 1943 Ansel was ordered to command the Cruiser U.S.S. Philadelphia in the Mediterranean. In early 1944 the U.S.S. Philadelphia supported the operations at Anzio and Formia. In this operation Ansel with Marines from the Philadelphia and the Cruiser U.S.S. Augusta accepted the surrender of the German garrison in the fortress islands off Marseilles. For his services in the operation he was awarded a second Legion of Merit Medal. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star from the French Government. In late 1944 Ansel returned to duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1946 he returned to sea duty as Chief of Staff, Support Group One, Japan. Upon completion of this assignment he returned to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy and later served with the U.S. Naval Mission in Brazil. In 1949 Ansel retired after thirty one years of service. In retirement Ansel turned to writing, publishing "Hitler Confronts England" and "Hitler and the Middle Sea". He died before his third book "Study of National Strategy and Policy of the United States and their Difference and Confusions". was published. (bio by: Saratoga)
Family links:
Spouse:
Eleanor Dyer Ansel (1900 - 1986)
Children:
David Dyer Ansel (1924 - 2013)*
*Calculated relationship
Search Amazon for Walter Ansel | | | Burial:
United States Naval Academy Cemetery
Annapolis
Anne Arundel County
Maryland, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: Saratoga
Record added: Jul 27, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 74033893 |
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