Nickname(s) Robert Lee Battles and wars World War II Name Robert Dennison | Battles/wars World War II Rank Admiral | |
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Allegiance United States of America Role United States Navy officer Died March 14, 1980, Bethesda, Maryland, United States Education United States Naval Academy Awards Distinguished Service Medal Commands held United States Fleet Forces Command | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
Admiral Robert Lee Dennison (April 13, 1901 – March 14, 1980) was an American naval officer and aide to President Harry Truman.
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Early life
Dennison was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1923. He later received a doctorate in engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
U.S. Navy career
He held numerous commands in the United States Navy, including submarines, destroyers, and the USS Missouri. Truman twice sailed on the Missouri while Dennison commanded it. He was a naval aide, to Harry S Truman from 1948 to 1953.
Arleigh Burke a former classmate of Dennison's who would one day become Chief of Naval Operations, found his career on the brink of ruin, following the Revolt of the Admirals. At the request of Dennison, Truman became involved. As a result, Burke's career stayed on track.
Dennison was involved in some of the first American continuity of government planning operations.
He was the Commander in Chief of the United States Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) and United States Atlantic Command (CINCLANT) from February 28, 1960 to April 30, 1963. While in charge of the Atlantic forces, he was given the duty of blockading Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He died of a pulmonary embolism in 1980 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.