NAVY BIOGRAPHY

John Paul Jones,

 American naval officer

.

 Born in Scotland July 6 1747.
As a cabin boy makes his first voyage to America in 1759. Becomes chief
mate on a slaver in 1766, but soon quits. In 1773, he unintentionally
kills a mutinous sailor and flees to America to avoid trial. Commissioned
senior lieutenant on Continental ship "Alfred" 1775. Given command of
the "Providence" in 1776. In 1777 takes command of "Ranger" and sails to
Europe. There he raids the British coast and makes a great nuisance of
himself. In command of "Bonhomme Richard" defeats the "HMS Serapis" in a
fierce struggle. In 1781 returns to America and receives thanks of
Congress. In 1787 receives a Congressional gold medal. Becomes rear
admiral in Russian Navy in 1788, and defeats the Turks in the Battle of
Liman. Dies in Paris July 18 1792. His remains are returned to the US
in 1905 and enshrined at Annapolis, Maryland.

Source: Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography
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Cochrane, Thomas

British naval officer

Member of Parliament

Born 1775 at Anes field, Lanarkshire to 9th Earl of Dundonald. In 1793
went to sea with Uncle Alexander. Appointed commander of brig "Speedy"
in 1800. In 1801 gained fame by capturing Spanish frigate "el Gumo".
He is first elected to Parliament in 1806 and in 1809 leads a fire ship
attack on the French fleet at Aix-Roads. In 1814 he is falsely excused
of fraud and expelled from Parliament. He goes to South America where he
commands the Chilean Navy against Spain. In 1820 he capture the Spanish
fort of Valdiva and that same year captures Spanish flagship
"Esmerelda". In 1823 he successfully defends Brazil against Portugal but
fails Greece in their fight against Turkey. He is reinstated to
Parliament in 1832 and promoted to Admiral in 1851. Cochrane dies in
London in 1860

Source: Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography

 

 

Martin Tromp

 Dutch Admiral

Born at Brielle in 1597, son of a naval officer. Went to sea at eight
and captured by English privateers in 1609, who kill his father and held
him for two years. Tromp joins the Dutch Navy after his release in 1617
and participates in an expedition against Barbary pirates. In 1624 he is
promoted to Captain and rises gains much glory. By 1629 he has become
commander of the admiral's flagship. He is ennobled by King Louis the
XIII in 1639 for destroying a Spanish-Portuguese fleet at the Downs and
knighted by Charles I on the marriage of his daughter to William II of
Orange in 1642. A new commercial threat would rise across the channel
from England and Tromp would beat off an attack from Admiral Blake at
Goodwin Sandwin Sands in 1652, and that same year at Dungeneness. In
1653 he successfully guided a convoy past Portland despite Blake's
attempt to destroy it for three days. At Gabbard Bank Tromp was defeated
by three English admirals: Deane, Monk, and Blake. Later that year,
braking the English blockade, he is killed by a musket ball while
engaging Monk off Scheveningen.

Source: Harper Encyclopedia of Military Biography

 

Themistocles

Greek statesman
514-449 BC

Born in Athens (514) to Neocles. Fought at "Marathon”, probably as a
strategus. Became a leading figure of Athens after the death of
Miltiades (489). To deter the threat from Persia he advocated a strong
naval arm, and advised the assembly to build 100 triremes
(483-482). After the Persians under "Xerxes" invaded (481) Themistocles
persuades the Athenians to abandon the city, while the navy engages the
enemy. At "Salamis", the Greeks win a great victory and Xerxes retreats.
Themistocles helps to rebuild the ruined city, but soon looses favor
through his arrogance. He flees to Persia (474) where he's greeted
warmly and lives there to his death. In 449.

Source: Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography

 

Lee, Willis A "Ching"

 1888-1945
American Admiral and Battleship Commander

Possibly the most knowledgeable surface commander

 In the navy in the use of radar.

Born in Natlee, Kentucky (1888) a direct descendant of Charles Lee.
Graduated from the US Naval Academy (1908) 106th out of a class of 201.
Served on battleship "USS Idaho" (1908-1909), in China (1910-1913), and
landed at "Vera Cruz" on April 24, 1914. During WW I served on a
destroyer the last month of the war (1918). Commanded destroyer
"Fairfax" (1919-1920). During the 20's Lee served in various posts and
graduated from the Naval War College (1929). He was on the
"Pennsylvania" in the Pacific (1931-1933) and for an extended period on
the light cruiser "Concord", as commander (1936-1938) and on the staff
of Admiral Harold Stark (1938-1939). Lee was back home when war began.
He was Director of Fleet Training and also a member of Admiral Ernest
King’s staff for a time. In January 1942 he was promoted to vice admiral
and later that year (August) raised his flag in "USS Washington" and
took her to battle the Japanese. During the night action off Guadalcanal
(November 14/15) Lee sank the enemy dreadnaught "Kirishima" and saved
Henderson field from disaster. Commanded fast battleships to the
remainder of the war and carried them through the capture of the
Gilberts, Marshalls, Mariana’s, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Promoted to Vice Admiral (1944). Died in Casco Bay, Maine (August 25,
1945).

Source: Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography

 

Andrea Doria
Genoese Admiral and Statesman
1468-1560

Andrea Doria was an leading 16th Century figure and possibly Italy's
greatest admiral.

Born in Oneglia, Genoa (1468). Father died when Doria was young and
mother placed him in care of Pope Innocent III's Captain of the Guard.
Served in the Guards himself (1487-1492) and in the Neapolitan army at
the Conquest of Naples (1495). After many wars and much traveling,
including a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Doria returned to Genoa (1503)
where he was warmly received and given command of the navy. Abandoning
war on land altogether he went to sea with 8 galleys and scoured the
western Mediterranean for pirates and gold. He found plenty of both and
returned home laden with booty. Under the service of the king of France,
Doria raised the Blockade of Marseilles (1524). Later he compelled Genoa
to accept France's authority (1527). After quarreling with the French
king over pay, he returned to Genoa. As head of the Austrian Navy landed
in Greece and captured Coron and Patros from the Turks (1532). Fought
the great pirate "Barbarossa" at the Gulf of Arta (1536) but allowed him
to escape. Retired to a palace at Fassolo where he is visited by Charles
V and Phillip II. Dies in 1560

Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia

 

 

Captain Johnny Walker

1896-1944
British Escort Group Commander & ASW Specialist.

 

 Created anti-U-boat
techniques that directly led to their defeat in WW 2.

Born Frederick John Walker June 3rd 1896. Entered RN (1909) and
graduated top of his class. Went to sea in battleship "HMS Ajax"
(1914). The latter part of WW I he spent fighting U-boats which proved to
be his true calling.

After the war (1921) Walker began a determined effort to study
anti-submarine operations. During the 1920's he served mostly in large
ships including battleships "Revenge", "Nelson", and "Queen Elizabeth".
Finally after years of frustration (1933) he was given command "HMS
Shikari" a destroyer fitted with "Asdic" (SONAR). Sent to the China
Station in command of sloop "Falmouth" (1936), and became director of
the Anti-Submarine School at Portland (1937).

When WW 2 breaks out he is appointed to Admiral Ramsey's staff (1939)
assisted ferrying the B.E.F. to France and remained there through the
next few years and the Norway campaign, the Dunkirk operation, and the
Battle of Britain. At his own insistence given sea duty in command of
"HMS Stork" Walker's first convoy included the first escort carrier,"HMS
Audacity" which would later add so much to the Battle of the Atlantic.

In command of "HMS Pelican" (Jan.! 942). Promoted to Captain (June
1942). Commander "HMS Starling" (Feb. 1943). At the peak of the U-boat
battle Walker issues his famous "Hoist the General Chase" order, given
twice in history, by "Nelson" and "Drake".

Learned his son Timothy, a submariner, is killed while serving in the
Mediterranean (Aug. 1943), which hardened him, and steeled his resolve
against Hitler’s submarines even more.

Escorted US cruiser "Milwaukee", a gift from Roosevelt to Stalin, to
Murmansk (March 1944). Effectively kept U-boats away from Normandy
beachhead (June 1944). Was to be knighted by King George but died from
exhaustion on July 9, 1944.
Johnny Walker, more than any single person during WW 2 led to the
destruction of Hitler's naval aspirations, and for it, paid the ultimate
sacrifice.

Source: An Article by Mike Kemble

 

 

Captain Edward Beach

 1918-2002
US Naval Officer and Author

Born April 20, 1918 in NY, NY son of Edward Latimer (also a naval
officer and writer) and Alice Beach. Enters US Naval Academy (1935).
Graduates 2nd in class (1939) and commissioned ensign. During WW 2
serves continually at sea (except for 3 months at submarine school) on a
cruiser, submarines “Trigger”, “Tirante”, and “Piper”. In 1944 he
marries Ingrid Schenck. After the war commands “USS Amberjack”
(1948-49). Naval aid and assistant to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
(1949-51). Commands “USS Trigger” (1951-53). Naval aid to President
Eisenhower (1953-57), during which tenure he achieves rank of Captain
(1956). Beach commands “USS Salamonie” (1957-58) and then takes “USS
Triton”, then the worlds largest submarine on an around the world
journey underwater which he successfully completes (Feb. 16-May 10
1960). Commander Sub Squadron 8 (1961-62). Graduates US Naval War
College and receives M.A. from George Washington University same year
(1963). ). Assigned to Navy Department (1963-66). US Naval Academy
Alumni Association. (1965-67). Senate Republican Policy Committee staff
director (1969-77). Administrative assistant to Senator Jeremiah Denton
(1981). Dies at home in Washington DC, Dec. 1, 2002 of cancer at age 84.

Famous Novels by Edward Beach:

Submarine! 1952
Run Silent, Run Deep 1962
Dust on the Sea 1972
Cold is the Sea 1978
Salt and Steel! Reflections of a Submariner 1999


Source: Contemporary Authors