Years of service 1906-1946 Service/branch United States Navy Commands held Task Force 61 | Rank Vice Admiral Battles and wars World War I, World War II | |
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Born December 15, 1885
St. Johnsbury, Vermont ( 1885-12-15 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars World War I
World War II Died 24 March 1961, Washington, D.C., United States Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States Awards Navy Cross, Legion of Merit | ||
Leigh Noyes (December 15, 1885 – March 24, 1961) was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. He was Director of Naval Communications before the outbreak of World War II and later served as Commander, Carrier Division 3 and Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet.
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Biography
Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906, he won the Navy Cross while serving as Flag Secretary and Fleet Communication Officer of the Atlantic Fleet during World War I. He was also decorated with the Russian Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd Class for the saving of Russian refugees from the sinking boat in the Black Sea.
In 1934, he took over command of the USS Richmond. In 1937 he completes flight training and takes command of USS Lexington. In 1938, he is appointed as Chief of staff, Aircraft, Battle Force.
At the time war broke out in 1941, Rear Admiral Noyes was Director of naval communications in Washington and was accused of not pass along the "Bomb Plot" intercept of 9 October 1941 indicating that the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu was under instructions to report ship locations in Pearl Harbor. In March 1942, he was sent to Pearl Harbor servicing as Admiral Halsey's shore administrator. He was considered to replace Halsey for midway but instead Admiral Spruance was selected. In June 1942, he was given command of Task Force 18 and later Task Force 61 transferred his flag to USS Wasp.
After Wasp was torpedoed on September 14, 1942 he was criticized for his actions and reassigned as commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet which he held until October 1942. In 1945 he was appointed to as President, Board of Inspection and Survey and was promoted to Vice Admiral and placed in the retired list in 1946.
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Leigh Noyes: