Arthur P. Fairfield
Encyclopedia
Arthur Philip Fairfield (October 29, 1877–December 14, 1946) was an vice admiral
in the United States Navy
.
, Fairfield served on the protected cruiser
during the Spanish–American War, before graduating from the United States Naval Academy
in 1901.
In World War I
, Commander Fairfield commissioned the destroyer
on 1 June 1918, and while commanding the destroyer earned the award of the Navy Cross
for his "prompt and efficient action in contact on September 8 with a submarine which attempted an attack upon a convoy".
Captain Fairfield commanded the heavy cruiser from 1930–1932, and in 1936 commanded Squadron 40-T, a special temporary squadron, organized to evacuate American nationals from the Spanish Civil War
areas. With the light cruiser as his flagship Rear Admiral Fairfield sailed with the destroyers and and the Coast Guard Cutter Cayuga to Spain, and saved hundreds of Americans and other nationals from the dangers of the war.
In 1938-1939 Fairfield served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations
, and in 1939-1940, was commander of Battleship Division Three of the United States Fleet
.
Fairfield retired in 1941, but was called back to active duty after the U.S. entered World War II. He served as an advisor to the Maritime Commission
, and was Chairman of the Board of Medals and Decorations, among other duties.
Fairfield retired again in 1945, and died on December 14, 1946.
, launched in June 1944 as the William Hodson, which served as the Chung Tung under Lend-Lease
to the Republic of China
, was renamed Arthur P. Fairfield in 1947, then Admiral Arthur P. Fairfield in 1948, while being operated by the American Pacific Steamship Company.
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Biography
Born in Saco, MaineSaco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
, Fairfield served on the protected cruiser
Protected cruiser
The protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...
during the Spanish–American War, before graduating from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1901.
In World War I
World 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...
, Commander Fairfield commissioned the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
on 1 June 1918, and while commanding the destroyer earned the award of the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his "prompt and efficient action in contact on September 8 with a submarine which attempted an attack upon a convoy".
Captain Fairfield commanded the heavy cruiser from 1930–1932, and in 1936 commanded Squadron 40-T, a special temporary squadron, organized to evacuate American nationals from the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
areas. With the light cruiser as his flagship Rear Admiral Fairfield sailed with the destroyers and and the Coast Guard Cutter Cayuga to Spain, and saved hundreds of Americans and other nationals from the dangers of the war.
In 1938-1939 Fairfield served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
, and in 1939-1940, was commander of Battleship Division Three of the United States Fleet
United States Fleet
The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. The abbreviation CINCUS, pronounced "sink us", was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. This title was disposed of and officially replaced by COMINCH in December 1941 . This...
.
Fairfield retired in 1941, but was called back to active duty after the U.S. entered World War II. He served as an advisor to the Maritime Commission
United States Maritime Commission
The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, passed by Congress on June 29, 1936, and replaced the U.S. Shipping Board which had existed since World War I...
, and was Chairman of the Board of Medals and Decorations, among other duties.
Fairfield retired again in 1945, and died on December 14, 1946.
Namesake
The Liberty shipLiberty ship
Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
, launched in June 1944 as the William Hodson, which served as the Chung Tung under Lend-Lease
Lend-Lease
Lend-Lease was the program under which the United States of America supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, Free France, and other Allied nations with materiel between 1941 and 1945. It was signed into law on March 11, 1941, a year and a half after the outbreak of war in Europe in...
to the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, was renamed Arthur P. Fairfield in 1947, then Admiral Arthur P. Fairfield in 1948, while being operated by the American Pacific Steamship Company.