United States Naval Officer. Graduated from the USNA in 1876, and served on a number of routine ship duties, rising to Captain in 1908. Commanded the cruiser USS Albany from 1907 to 1908 and the cruiser USS California from 1909 to 1910. Promoted to Read-Admiral in 1913 and commanded the Fourth Division of the Atlantic Fleet, and became involved in the "Tampico Incident" in Mexico. In that event, he responded very strongly to the unwarranted arrest of United States sailors by Mexican authorities, and facilitated the occupation of Vera Cruz by US Forces. Promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1915, and full Admiral in 1916, when he was named commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet. He held this position until 1919, making him the ranking United States Naval officer at sea during World War I. His military service was marked by a lack of desire for self serving accolades, and his only citation from the Navy was a Distinguished Service Medal. Despite this lack of recognition, he influenced many World War II naval officers like Ernest J. King.
United States Naval Officer. Graduated from the USNA in 1876, and served on a number of routine ship duties, rising to Captain in 1908. Commanded the cruiser USS Albany from 1907 to 1908 and the cruiser USS California from 1909 to 1910. Promoted to Read-Admiral in 1913 and commanded the Fourth Division of the Atlantic Fleet, and became involved in the "Tampico Incident" in Mexico. In that event, he responded very strongly to the unwarranted arrest of United States sailors by Mexican authorities, and facilitated the occupation of Vera Cruz by US Forces. Promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1915, and full Admiral in 1916, when he was named commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet. He held this position until 1919, making him the ranking United States Naval officer at sea during World War I. His military service was marked by a lack of desire for self serving accolades, and his only citation from the Navy was a Distinguished Service Medal. Despite this lack of recognition, he influenced many World War II naval officers like Ernest J. King.
Bio by: RPD2
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