Charles E. Rosendahl
Encyclopedia
Charles Emery Rosendahl (15 May 1892 – 17 May 1977) was a Vice Admiral
in the United States Navy
, and an advocate of lighter-than-air flight.
and Texas
and, in 1910, he was appointed to the Naval Academy
from the latter state. Commissioned in the rank of ensign
in June 1914, upon graduation from the Academy, he was ordered to join the armored cruiser
off Mexico during the Veracruz crisis. After West Virginia was decommissioned he served briefly on the battleship and the protected cruiser
, before reporting for duty aboard the protected cruiser on 14 May 1915. On 15 September 1916 he returned to the recommissioned West Virginia, which was subsequently renamed the Huntington. On 19 June 1917 he received promotion to lieutenant (j.g), and to full lieutenant
on 31 August 1918, having served aboard the Huntington escorting convoys of troops and supplies to Europe during World War I
.
From 6 June 1918 Rosendahl served as an Engineering Officer, putting the new destroyer
into commission. On 30 July 1919 he was ordered to the Pacific Coast for further duty, first serving on the cruiser as Gunnery Officer, and receiving promotion to lieutenant commander
on 27 January 1920. In August he began fitting out new destroyers, commissioning, and delivering them to the Fleet; they included the , , , and . On 11 July 1921 Rosendahl assumed command of the destroyer , before being ordered to duty at the Naval Academy as Instructor in Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics in September.
When the Navy's Bureau of Navigation
circulated a letter asking for volunteers for rigid airship duty, Rosendahl volunteered. He reported to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey
, to be trained in airship operation on 7 April 1923. Designated a Naval Aviator
in November 1924, Rosendahl served in the dirigible as mooring officer and navigator. Promoted to lieutenant commander
on 5 January 1925, he distinguished himself by successfully bringing the bow section of the shattered airship safely to earth after she broke up in the air on 3 September 1925 over Noble County
, Ohio
.
From 9 March 1926 he served as Executive Officer
, and then as Commanding Officer
from 10 May, of the dirigible . making numerous flights for crew training, radio compass station calibration and flight tests for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
(NACA). Los Angeles also took part in the searches for Nungesser
and Coli
's aircraft "The White Bird
", and Frances Wilson Grayson
's "Dawn", both of which went missing during attempts on trans-Atlantic flights
.
In January 1928 Rosendahl flew Los Angeles out to sea off Newport, Rhode Island
, to rendezvous with the aircraft carrier and moored to the ship's stern to take on fuel and stores. Further experimental flights were undertaken, mooring to the airship tender during long-range flights.
In July 1928 Rosendahl traveled to Britain to observe their airship activities, and then to Germany for the trials of the airship . In October he was aboard the Graf as she made her first Atlantic crossing from Friedrichshafen
to Lakehurst.
On 9 May 1929 he was relieved as Commanding Officer of Los Angeles and assumed duty as the Commander of the Rigid Airship Training and Experimental Squadron at NAS Lakehurst. In August he was aboard the Graf Zeppelins "Round the World" flight as observer and watch officer. On 27 June 1930 Rosendahl was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics
, in Washington, D.C.
, and from 21 October 1931 to 22 June 1932 commanded the new dirigible , during which time experiments in the role as an airborne aircraft carrier
were tried. Between July 1932 and June 1934 Rosendahl served at sea on board the battleship
and heavy cruiser .
On 11 June 1934 he assumed command at NAS Lakehurst, and was promoted to commander
on 1 February 1935. Rosendahl served as an official observer on the German airship , on transatlantic flights between Frankfurt
and Rio de Janeiro
in August–September 1936. He was in command at Lakehurst on the night of 6 May 1937 and witnessed the destruction of the Hindenburg
, leading fire fighting and rescue efforts. He later testified at the Department of Commerce
Inquiry into the accident and stated:
On 6 August 1938 he was relieved of command of NAS Lakehurst, and on 31 August he reported to Pearl Harbor to serve as Executive Officer of the light cruiser .
On 23 May 1940 he was assigned to the office of the Secretary of the Navy
for duty in airship evaluations, and was promoted to the rank of captain
on 13 July. In September he became the senior member of the Board created to investigate sites for new airship stations. On 25 February 1941 he was detached from that duty to serve in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy
, and then on 23 April 1942 to the office of Chief of Naval Operations
, under the Director of Fleet Training, for airship training and base selection.
On 6 September 1942 Rosendahl took command of the heavy cruiser
. The ship was torpedoed during the Battle of Tassafaronga
, off Guadalcanal
, on 30 November 1942, losing 80 feet (24.4 m) of her bows and had three of four boilers knocked out. Rosendahl kept her afloat and reached the safety of Tulagi
. He was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross
. On 15 May he returned to NAS Lakehurst and assumed duty as the Chief of Naval Airship Training Command, receiving promotion to rear admiral
on 26 May 1943. This service lasted through World War II
, until he retired on 1 November 1946. He was advanced to the rank of vice admiral
on the same day.
of the National Air Transport Coordinating Committee, a group set up to study air transport problems in the greater New York area after three crashes
in Elizabeth, New Jersey
, during 1952.
Rosendahl retired to Toms River
, New Jersey
in 1960 to write and to organize the Lighter-Than-Air Museum Association at Lakehurst. The Navy conditionally deeded land to the LTA Museum Association, but because the group was unsuccessful in raising funds, the land reverted to NAS Lakehurst.
The United States Navy ended airship operations in August 1962. Rosendahl was aboard the N class blimp ZPG-3W on the final flight.
Rosendahl died on 17 May 1977 at the Naval Hospital Philadelphia
.
His collected papers are held by the University of Texas at Dallas
. These include notes for an unpublished study of the attack on Pearl Harbor
written with the assistance of Vice Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka, who Rosendahl had first met and befriended on the Graf Zeppelin circumnavigation in 1929.
He also received two honorary degrees:
And also received:
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...
, and an advocate of lighter-than-air flight.
Early career
Rosendahl was born in Chicago, Illinois. His family subsequently relocated to KansasKansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and, in 1910, he was appointed to the 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...
from the latter state. Commissioned in the rank of ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
in June 1914, upon graduation from the Academy, he was ordered to join the armored cruiser
Armored cruiser
The armored cruiser was a type of warship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like other types of cruiser, the armored cruiser was a long-range, independent warship, capable of defeating any ship apart from a battleship, and fast enough to outrun any battleships it encountered.The first...
off Mexico during the Veracruz crisis. After West Virginia was decommissioned he served briefly on the battleship and 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...
, before reporting for duty aboard the protected cruiser on 14 May 1915. On 15 September 1916 he returned to the recommissioned West Virginia, which was subsequently renamed the Huntington. On 19 June 1917 he received promotion to lieutenant (j.g), and to full lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on 31 August 1918, having served aboard the Huntington escorting convoys of troops and supplies to Europe during 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...
.
From 6 June 1918 Rosendahl served as an Engineering Officer, putting the new 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...
into commission. On 30 July 1919 he was ordered to the Pacific Coast for further duty, first serving on the cruiser as Gunnery Officer, and receiving promotion to lieutenant commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
on 27 January 1920. In August he began fitting out new destroyers, commissioning, and delivering them to the Fleet; they included the , , , and . On 11 July 1921 Rosendahl assumed command of the destroyer , before being ordered to duty at the Naval Academy as Instructor in Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics in September.
Move to airships
Bureau of Navigation (United States Navy)
The U.S. Navy's Bureau of Navigation was established in 1862 as part of the reorganization of the Navy Department. Principal responsibilities were to provide nautical charts and instruments and to oversee several activities involved navigation research, including the Naval Observatory...
circulated a letter asking for volunteers for rigid airship duty, Rosendahl volunteered. He reported to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, to be trained in airship operation on 7 April 1923. Designated a Naval Aviator
United States 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...
in November 1924, Rosendahl served in the dirigible as mooring officer and navigator. Promoted to lieutenant commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
on 5 January 1925, he distinguished himself by successfully bringing the bow section of the shattered airship safely to earth after she broke up in the air on 3 September 1925 over Noble County
Noble County, Ohio
Noble County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,645. Its county seat is Caldwell. Noble County is named for Rep. Warren P. Noble of the Ohio House of Representatives, who was an early settler there.-History:...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
From 9 March 1926 he served as Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
, and then as Commanding Officer
Commanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
from 10 May, of the dirigible . making numerous flights for crew training, radio compass station calibration and flight tests for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was a U.S. federal agency founded on March 3, 1915 to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958 the agency was dissolved, and its assets and personnel transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and...
(NACA). Los Angeles also took part in the searches for Nungesser
Charles Nungesser
Charles Eugène Jules Marie Nungesser, MC was a French ace pilot and adventurer, best remembered as a rival of Charles Lindbergh...
and Coli
François Coli
François Coli was a French pilot and navigator best known as the flying partner of Charles Nungesser in the doomed attempt to fly the Atlantic Ocean on the aircraft known as The White Bird....
's aircraft "The White Bird
The White Bird
The White Bird was a French biplane which disappeared in 1927, during an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight between Paris and New York...
", and Frances Wilson Grayson
Frances Wilson Grayson
Frances Wilson Grayson was an American aviatrix who died flying to Newfoundland just prior to her trip to cross the Atlantic Ocean.-Birth and education:...
's "Dawn", both of which went missing during attempts on trans-Atlantic flights
Transatlantic flight
Transatlantic flight is the flight of an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. A transatlantic flight may proceed east-to-west, originating in Europe or Africa and terminating in North America or South America, or it may go in the reverse direction, west-to-east...
.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, to rendezvous with the aircraft carrier and moored to the ship's stern to take on fuel and stores. Further experimental flights were undertaken, mooring to the airship tender during long-range flights.
In July 1928 Rosendahl traveled to Britain to observe their airship activities, and then to Germany for the trials of the airship . In October he was aboard the Graf as she made her first Atlantic crossing from Friedrichshafen
Friedrichshafen
This article is about a German town. For the Danish town, see Frederikshavn, and for the Finnish town, see Fredrikshamn .Friedrichshafen is a university city on the northern side of Lake Constance in Southern Germany, near the borders with Switzerland and Austria.It is the district capital of the...
to Lakehurst.
On 9 May 1929 he was relieved as Commanding Officer of Los Angeles and assumed duty as the Commander of the Rigid Airship Training and Experimental Squadron at NAS Lakehurst. In August he was aboard the Graf Zeppelins "Round the World" flight as observer and watch officer. On 27 June 1930 Rosendahl was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
, in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and from 21 October 1931 to 22 June 1932 commanded the new dirigible , during which time experiments in the role as an airborne aircraft carrier
Airborne aircraft carrier
Airborne aircraft carriers are aircraft which can launch other aircraft. These typically are large aircraft that launch fighter-interceptor planes.-Dirigible aircraft carriers:...
were tried. Between July 1932 and June 1934 Rosendahl served at sea on board the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
and heavy cruiser .
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
on 1 February 1935. Rosendahl served as an official observer on the German airship , on transatlantic flights between Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
and Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in August–September 1936. He was in command at Lakehurst on the night of 6 May 1937 and witnessed the destruction of the Hindenburg
Hindenburg disaster
The Hindenburg disaster took place on Thursday, May 6, 1937, as the German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, which is located adjacent to the borough of Lakehurst, New Jersey...
, leading fire fighting and rescue efforts. He later testified at the Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
Inquiry into the accident and stated:
On 6 August 1938 he was relieved of command of NAS Lakehurst, and on 31 August he reported to Pearl Harbor to serve as Executive Officer of the light cruiser .
On 23 May 1940 he was assigned to the office of the Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
for duty in airship evaluations, and was promoted to the rank of captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
on 13 July. In September he became the senior member of the Board created to investigate sites for new airship stations. On 25 February 1941 he was detached from that duty to serve in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Assistant Secretary of the Navy is the title given to certain civilian senior officials in the United States Department of the Navy....
, and then on 23 April 1942 to the office of Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, under the Director of Fleet Training, for airship training and base selection.
World War II
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
. The ship was torpedoed during the Battle of Tassafaronga
Battle of Tassafaronga
The Battle of Tassafaronga, sometimes referred to as the Fourth Battle of Savo Island or, in Japanese sources, as the , was a nighttime naval battle that took place November 30, 1942 between United States Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy warships during the Guadalcanal campaign...
, off Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, on 30 November 1942, losing 80 feet (24.4 m) of her bows and had three of four boilers knocked out. Rosendahl kept her afloat and reached the safety of Tulagi
Tulagi
Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. The town of the same name on the island Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island (5.5 km by 1 km) in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida...
. He was subsequently awarded 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...
. On 15 May he returned to NAS Lakehurst and assumed duty as the Chief of Naval Airship Training Command, receiving promotion to rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
on 26 May 1943. This service lasted through 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...
, until he retired on 1 November 1946. He was advanced to the rank of vice admiral
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...
on the same day.
Post-Navy activities
Between 1947 and 1952 Rosendahl was an aeronautical consultant and a Vice-President of the Flettner Aircraft Corporation, New York. On 1953 he was appointed Executive DirectorExecutive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the National Air Transport Coordinating Committee, a group set up to study air transport problems in the greater New York area after three crashes
American Airlines Flight 6780
American Airlines Flight 6780 was the first fatal crash of a Convair 240 on January 22, 1952 at Elizabeth, New Jersey.The twin-propeller aircraft was on the routing Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse-Newark. On final approach to runway 6 at Newark Airport using the instrument landing system, it crashed at...
in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, during 1952.
Rosendahl retired to Toms River
Toms River
The Toms River, formerly Tom's River, is a freshwater river and estuary in Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States.The Toms River rises in the Pine Barrens of northern Ocean County and flows southeast and east, fed by several branches, in a meandering course through wetland area and empties...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in 1960 to write and to organize the Lighter-Than-Air Museum Association at Lakehurst. The Navy conditionally deeded land to the LTA Museum Association, but because the group was unsuccessful in raising funds, the land reverted to NAS Lakehurst.
The United States Navy ended airship operations in August 1962. Rosendahl was aboard the N class blimp ZPG-3W on the final flight.
Rosendahl died on 17 May 1977 at the Naval Hospital Philadelphia
Naval Hospital Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Naval Hospital was the first high-rise hospital building constructed by the United States Navy. At its 1935 opening it represented a state-of-the-art facility for the Navy with 650 beds and a total floor space of...
.
Personal life
On 30 June 1932 he met Jean Wilson on a train en route to Los Angeles, California. They were married on 22 December 1934.Publications
Rosendahl published several books, as well as numerous scientific and popular articles about airships.- Up Ship! (1931) Dodd, Mead and CompanyDodd, Mead and CompanyDodd, Mead and Company was one of the pioneer publishing houses of the United States, based in New York City. Under several names, the firm operated from 1839 until 1990. Its history properly began in 1870, with the retirement of its founder, Moses Woodruff Dodd. Control passed to his son Frank...
, New York. - What About the Airship: The Challenge to the United States (1938) Charles Scribner's SonsCharles Scribner's SonsCharles Scribner's Sons, or simply Scribner, is an American publisher based in New York City, known for publishing a number of American authors including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kurt Vonnegut, Stephen King, Robert A. Heinlein, Thomas Wolfe, George Santayana, John Clellon...
, New York. - A History of U.S. Navy Airships in World War II
- SNAFU: The Strange Story of American Airships
His collected papers are held by the University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas, also referred to as UT Dallas or UTD, is a public research university in the University of Texas System. The main campus is in the heart of the Richardson, Texas, Telecom Corridor, north of downtown Dallas...
. These include notes for an unpublished study of the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
written with the assistance of Vice Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka, who Rosendahl had first met and befriended on the Graf Zeppelin circumnavigation in 1929.
Memberships
Rosendahl was a member of the following organizations:- Fellow of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences
- Member of Advisory Committee and Trustee of the Clifford B. Harmon TrustHarmon TrophyThe Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the world's outstanding aviator, aviatrix , and aeronaut...
- Past President and Life Honorary Member, Wings Club of New York
- Honorary Member and Past President, John EricssonJohn EricssonJohn Ericsson was a Swedish-American inventor and mechanical engineer, as was his brother Nils Ericson. He was born at Långbanshyttan in Värmland, Sweden, but primarily came to be active in England and the United States...
Society of New York - Founder and Member of Army-Navy Country Club, Washington, D.C.
- Fifty-year "Gold Card" member of the American LegionAmerican LegionThe American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, Past Commander and member of its Air Service, Post 501 - Adventurers' Club
- Ye Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen
- International Order of CharactersInternational Order of CharactersThe International Order of Characters is an organization dedicated to improving the fields of Aviation and Aerospace. The IOC also provides financial assistance to persons and organizations in fields related to Aviation and other technology industries....
- Explorers' Club
- The Naval Order of the United States
Civilian
Rosendahl was the recipient of numerous honors:- Elder Statesman of Aviation, National Aeronautic AssociationNational Aeronautic AssociationThe National Aeronautic Association of the United States is a non-profit 501 organization and a member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , the international standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. NAA is the official record-keeper for United States...
- Winner of four Harmon TrophiesHarmon TrophyThe Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the world's outstanding aviator, aviatrix , and aeronaut...
, Aeronaut-class (1927 & 1940-9), and National Award (1932 & 1933) - Frank M. Hawks AwardFrank HawksFrank Monroe Hawks served in the U.S. Army in World War I and was known during the 1920s and 1930s as a record breaking aviator, using a series of Texaco-sponsored aircraft, setting 214 point-to-point records in the United States and Europe...
- He was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New JerseyAviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New JerseyThe Aviation Hall Of Fame & Museum of New Jersey was founded in 1972 and preserves New Jersey's aviation and space heritage. The museum displays historic aircraft, space equipment, artifacts, photographs, art and a model collection, many of which were donations from private sources. It is the first...
in 1980
He also received two honorary degrees:
- Doctor of Science in Aeronautics from the University of TampaUniversity of TampaThe University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
- Doctor of Laws from Rider College
Military
For his service in World War I and World War II he was awarded:-
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, later withdrawn in favor of the
Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service MedalThe 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... -
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The... -
Navy CrossNavy CrossThe 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...
And also received:
-
Mexican Service MedalMexican Service MedalThe Mexican Service Medal is an award of the United States military which was established by General Orders of the United States War Department on December 12, 1917... -
Victory Medal, Escort Clasp (WWI) -
American Defense Service MedalAmerican Defense Service MedalThe American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
, Fleet Clasp (WWII) -
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalThe Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
(WWII) -
American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
(WWII) -
World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
Further reading
- Althoff, William F., Sky Ships: A History of the Airship in the United States Navy, (July 1998) Pacifica Press, California. ISBN 978-0935553321
- Shock, James R., U.S. Navy Airships 1915-1962: A History by Individual Airship. (2001) Atlantis Productions. ISBN 0963974386