US Navy Admiral. He became a Midshipman in 1841, from 1845 to 1848 he participated in James Biddle's expedition that circumnavigated the globe, and during the Mexican War he served off California. At the start of the Civil War he was assigned to blockade duty on USS Wabash, and from 1864 to 1865 he participated in several South Carolina attacks as a squadron commander. From 1866 to 1872 he commanded a squadron, and he served at the Boston Navy Yard until 1875, afterwards returning to squadron command. In 1884 Luce was promoted to Rear Admiral as North Atlantic Squadron commander, serving until his 1889 retirement. In 1884 he was appointed the first President of the Naval War College, serving until 1886. After retiring, he served on the Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, was a Naval War College professor, and authored books on nautical topics. The post-Civil War Navy's intellectual leader, three ships have been named USS Luce, and there are Luce Halls at the Naval Academy and the Naval War College. Luce Auditorium was part of Naval Training Center San Diego, and the State University of New York Maritime College library is named for him.

US Navy Admiral. He became a Midshipman in 1841, from 1845 to 1848 he participated in James Biddle's expedition that circumnavigated the globe, and during the Mexican War he served off California. At the start of the Civil War he was assigned to blockade duty on USS Wabash, and from 1864 to 1865 he participated in several South Carolina attacks as a squadron commander. From 1866 to 1872 he commanded a squadron, and he served at the Boston Navy Yard until 1875, afterwards returning to squadron command. In 1884 Luce was promoted to Rear Admiral as North Atlantic Squadron commander, serving until his 1889 retirement. In 1884 he was appointed the first President of the Naval War College, serving until 1886. After retiring, he served on the Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, was a Naval War College professor, and authored books on nautical topics. The post-Civil War Navy's intellectual leader, three ships have been named USS Luce, and there are Luce Halls at the Naval Academy and the Naval War College. Luce Auditorium was part of Naval Training Center San Diego, and the State University of New York Maritime College library is named for him.

Bio by: Bill McKern