Allegiance United States Battles and wars World War I Years of service 1898–? | Battles/wars World War I Rank Rear admiral Name Lewis Porterfield | |
Born October 30, 1879
Greenville, Alabama ( 1879-10-30 ) Commands held Albatross (SP-1003)
Venetia (SP-431)
Wheeling (PG-14)
Destroyer Squadron 11 Died April 5, 1942, Oakland, California, United States Awards Distinguished Service Medal | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
Lewis Broughton Porterfield (30 October 1879 – 5 April 1942) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy.
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Biography
Porterfield, born in Greenville, Alabama, on 30 October 1879, was appointed Naval Cadet from Alabama on 8 September 1898. He became a Midshipman in July 1902, Ensign on 2 May 1904, Lieutenant on 2 May 1907, Lieutenant Commander on 4 March 1915, Commander on 1 July 1919, Captain on 16 February 1925, and Rear Admiral on 1 July 1937.
His commands included the patrol boats Albatross (SP-1003) and Venetia (SP-431), the gunboat Wheeling (PG-14), and Destroyer Squadron 11. He served finally as Chief of Staff in the 12th Naval District. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for anti-submarine operations during World War I while commanding Venetia.
He died in Oakland, California, on 5 April 1942.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer USS Porterfield (DD-682) was named in his honor.