Birth name Louis Emil Denfeld Name Louis Denfeld | Rank Admiral Years of service 1912–1950 | |
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Born April 13, 1891
Westborough, Massachusetts, U.S. ( 1891-04-13 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars World War I
World War II Awards Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2) Died March 28, 1972, Westborough, Massachusetts, United States Education United States Naval Academy Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States Commands held Destroyer Squadron 1 | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Battles and wars World War I, World War II | ||
16mm HOME MOVIE ADMIRAL DENFELD PEARL HARBOR HAWAII 1945-1947 57654
Louis Emil Denfeld (April 13, 1891 – March 28, 1972) was Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy from December 15, 1947 to November 1, 1949. He also held several significant surface commands during World War II, and after the war commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Contents
- 16mm HOME MOVIE ADMIRAL DENFELD PEARL HARBOR HAWAII 1945 1947 57654
- Life and Naval career
- Decorations
- Attribution
- References
Life and Naval career
Born in Westborough, Massachusetts, Denfeld graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1912. He took command of the destroyer McCall (DD-28) in 1919 and served aboard the submarine S-24 (SS-129) during 1923 and 1924. He commanded Destroyer Division 11 from 1935 to 1937.
Denfeld was selected to be aide to the Chief of Naval Operations in 1939, then commanded first Destroyer Division 18, then Destroyer Squadron 1 from 1939 to 1941. He served as Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Atlantic fleet, Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll. For planning of safe routes for escort convoys in this capacity, Denfeld received the Legion of Merit. He became head of the Atlantic Fleet Support Force in 1941, then assistant chief to the Bureau of Navigation in 1942. He led Battleship Division 9 in 1945, was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Personnel in 1945, and commanded Pacific Fleet and all U.S. forces in the area in 1947.
On February 28, 1947 Denfeld was named Military Governor of the Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, and Mariana Islands, replacing Admiral John H. Towers. Denfeld was appointed Chief of Naval Operations on December 15, 1947. Due to his role in the "Revolt of the Admirals", he was detached from duty by the Secretary of the Navy Francis P. Matthews on November 1, 1949, and retired in 1950.
He was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1950. He lost the Republican nomination to Arthur W. Coolidge. Denfield died in Westborough, Massachusetts at the age of 80. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Decorations
Admiral Louis E. Denfeld received many decorations during his long navy career. Here is his ribbon bar:
Attribution
This article incorporates public domain material from the Naval History & Heritage Command document "Admiral Louis E. Denfeld" (retrieved on February 20, 2009).