Years of service 1899-1945 Name Claude Bloch | Rank Admiral Service/branch United States Navy | |
Born July 13, 1878
Woodbury, Kentucky ( 1878-07-13 ) Allegiance United States of America Commands held United States Fleet
USS Plattsburg (SP-1645)
USS California (BB-44)
Fourteenth Naval District
General Board Battles/wars Spanish American War
Boxer Rebellion
Philippine-American War
World War I
World War II Died October 4, 1967, Washington, D.C., United States Education United States Naval Academy Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States Awards Navy Cross, Legion of Merit Battles and wars Spanish–American War, Boxer Rebellion, Philippine–American War, World War I, World War II | ||
Kentucky historical marker 1769 admiral claude c bloch kentucky life ket
Claude Charles Bloch (July 13, 1878 – October 4, 1967) was a United States Navy admiral who served as Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet (COMBATFOR) from 1937 to 1938; and Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet (CINCUS) from 1938 to 1940.
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Early years
Claude C. Bloch was born on July 13, 1878 in Woodbury, Kentucky to a Jewish family. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1895 from the Third Congressional District in Kentucky. While he was still a Cadet, Bloch served aboard battleship USS Iowa during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Bloch assisted in rescue of Spanish sailors from the burning enemy ships a was subsequently awarded with Specially Meritorious Service Medal. He graduated from the Naval Academy on January 28, 1899 with the rank of Passed midshipman.
He commanded USS Plattsburg (ID-1645) during World War I, and the USS California (BB-44) from 1927 to 1929.
Navy Cross citation
The official U.S. Navy citation for Bloch's Navy Cross reads:
Name: Claude Charles Bloch Service: Navy Rank: Captain Company: Commanding Officer Division: U.S.S. Plattsburg Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Claude Charles Bloch, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PLATTSBURG, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines during World War I.World War II
He served as the Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet from 1938 to 6 January 1940, as was customary holding the temporary grade of Admiral. Following this assignment, he reverted to his permanent grade, Rear Admiral, and commanded the Fourteenth Naval District at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. He later served on the General Board of the Navy from 1942-1945.
He retired as a full admiral in 1945 and died in Washington, D.C. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Bloch was the highest ranking Jewish officer in the armed forces until well after the Second World War.
Decorations
Admiral Claude C. Bloch´s ribbon bar: