United States Navy Vice Admiral. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, he served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1918, he served as the commander of the destroyer escort Reuben James (DD245) during the last several months of World War I. Continuing his education following the conclusion of the war, he enrolled at Columbia University, earning a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1925. He joined Chief of Naval Operations in 1939, as a war plans officer, responsible for logistical operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1944 he was appointed as the first commanding officer of the USS Battleship Missouri (BB63), directing combat operations against Japanese Naval Forces in the Battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Tokyo. He was appointed commander of U.S. Naval Forces in the Far East, following the outbreak of hostilities with North Korea on June 25, 1950. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit Award for his service during the Korean War, and the recipient of several foreign service awards including: the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan), the Order of the White Elephant (Thailand), and the Order of the Boyaca (Columbia). He retired from the military in 1957, achieving the rank of vice admiral. Following military service he served as the vice president of the American Export Lines, and as chairman of the Maritime Transportation Research Board, a sub division of the National Academy of Sciences. He died from stroke related complications at the age of 93.
United States Navy Vice Admiral. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, he served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean conflict. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1918, he served as the commander of the destroyer escort Reuben James (DD245) during the last several months of World War I. Continuing his education following the conclusion of the war, he enrolled at Columbia University, earning a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1925. He joined Chief of Naval Operations in 1939, as a war plans officer, responsible for logistical operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1944 he was appointed as the first commanding officer of the USS Battleship Missouri (BB63), directing combat operations against Japanese Naval Forces in the Battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Tokyo. He was appointed commander of U.S. Naval Forces in the Far East, following the outbreak of hostilities with North Korea on June 25, 1950. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit Award for his service during the Korean War, and the recipient of several foreign service awards including: the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan), the Order of the White Elephant (Thailand), and the Order of the Boyaca (Columbia). He retired from the military in 1957, achieving the rank of vice admiral. Following military service he served as the vice president of the American Export Lines, and as chairman of the Maritime Transportation Research Board, a sub division of the National Academy of Sciences. He died from stroke related complications at the age of 93.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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