Artemus Gates
Encyclopedia
Artemus Lamb Gates was an American
businessman, naval aviator
, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air in charge of naval aviation efforts in World War II
(7 December 1941 - 30 June 1945). He also was briefly Undersecretary of the Navy (3 July 1945—2 September 1945). He was, at various times, President of New York Trust Company, and a director of Union Pacific, TIME
, Boeing
, Middle South Utilities, Inc., Safeway, Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co., and Servo Corp.
and a grandson of lumber baron Artemus Lamb, he grew up at "Oakhurst" in Clinton, Iowa
. He was graduated from Hotchkiss School
in 1914 and received his B.A. degree as a member of the class of 1918 at Yale University
. He was a member of Skull and Bones
, one of the best known of the secret societies based at Yale University. Gates was captain-elect of the Yale football team in 1917
, there was formed a Yale Unit of the Naval Reserve Flying Corps. The unit was closely associated with the Skull and Bones
. The Yale unit was often referred to snidely as the millionaire squadron. While training in Florida the pilots often were wheeled to their planes in wheel chairs pushed by Black porters. Artemus Gates was a member of the Yale unit. He helped rescue downed fliers, was shot down, taken prisoner by the Germans and escaped. Previous flying experience enabled him to become an ensign in naval aviation in March, 1917. He was released from active service in February, 1919, as lieutenant-commander. Because of service on the front Mr. Gates was decorated by the United States government with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, by Great Britain with the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
, and by France with the Croix de Guerre
and was made an officer of the Legion of Honor of France.
, on January 3, 1922. They had two daughters, Diane and Cynthia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, naval aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air in charge of naval aviation efforts in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(7 December 1941 - 30 June 1945). He also was briefly Undersecretary of the Navy (3 July 1945—2 September 1945). He was, at various times, President of New York Trust Company, and a director of Union Pacific, TIME
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
, Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, Middle South Utilities, Inc., Safeway, Inc., Abercrombie & Fitch Co., and Servo Corp.
Background
A great grandson of lumber baron Chancy LambChancy Lamb
-Early life:Chancy Lamb was born in Ticonderoga, New York, January 4, 1816. He was the son of Alpheus and Mrs. Sophia Lamb. His father was a descendent of Thomas Lamb, who came from England with Governor Winthrop’s fleet in 1630, and settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts...
and a grandson of lumber baron Artemus Lamb, he grew up at "Oakhurst" in Clinton, Iowa
Clinton, Iowa
Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26231as of 2010. Clinton, along with DeWitt, Iowa , was named in honor of the seventh governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton. Clinton is the principal city of the Clinton Micropolitan Statistical...
. He was graduated from Hotchkiss School
Hotchkiss School
The Hotchkiss School is an independent, coeducational American college preparatory boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Founded in 1891, the school enrolls students in grades 9 through 12 and a small number of postgraduates...
in 1914 and received his B.A. degree as a member of the class of 1918 at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. He was a member of Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
, one of the best known of the secret societies based at Yale University. Gates was captain-elect of the Yale football team in 1917
Military service
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, there was formed a Yale Unit of the Naval Reserve Flying Corps. The unit was closely associated with the Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior or secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is a traditional peer society to Scroll and Key and Wolf's Head, as the three senior class 'landed societies' at Yale....
. The Yale unit was often referred to snidely as the millionaire squadron. While training in Florida the pilots often were wheeled to their planes in wheel chairs pushed by Black porters. Artemus Gates was a member of the Yale unit. He helped rescue downed fliers, was shot down, taken prisoner by the Germans and escaped. Previous flying experience enabled him to become an ensign in naval aviation in March, 1917. He was released from active service in February, 1919, as lieutenant-commander. Because of service on the front Mr. Gates was decorated by the United States government with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, by Great Britain with the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, and by France with the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and was made an officer of the Legion of Honor of France.
Marriage
Gates married Alice Trubee Davison, a banking heiress and a sister of fellow Bonesman F. Trubee DavisonF. Trubee Davison
Frederick Trubee Davison , usually known as F. Trubee Davison, or Trubee Davison, was an American World War I aviator, Assistant US Secretary of War, Director of Personnel for the Central Intelligence Agency, and President of the American Museum of Natural History.Davison was the brother-in-law of...
, on January 3, 1922. They had two daughters, Diane and Cynthia.