Charles Peshall Plunkett
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Charles Peshall Plunkett, (15 February 1864–24 March 1931) was an officer of the United States Navy
who served in the Spanish-American War
and World War I
.
and was appointed to the Naval Academy
in 1879. During the Spanish–American War, he served in Admiral Dewey's
Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay. He commanded both the battleship and the armored cruiser
, and served as Director of Target Practice and Engineering Competitions for the Navy Department before the United States entered World War I
.
In July 1918, he assumed command of the five Naval Railway Batteries in France. Under his direction the mobile units of 14-inch battleship guns
supported the French and American armies from 6 September until the Armistice, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
for his service during the war. He later commanded Destroyers, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and served as Chief of Staff at the Naval War College
; as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey
; and as Commandant
of the New York Navy Yard and the 3rd Naval District.
Retiring in 1928, Rear Admiral
Plunkett died, in Washington, D.C., on 24 March 1931.
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...
who served in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
and 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...
.
Biography
Plunkett was born 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 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...
in 1879. During the Spanish–American War, he served in Admiral Dewey's
George Dewey
George Dewey was an admiral of the United States Navy. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War...
Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay. He commanded both the battleship and 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...
, and served as Director of Target Practice and Engineering Competitions for the Navy Department before the United States entered 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...
.
In July 1918, he assumed command of the five Naval Railway Batteries in France. Under his direction the mobile units of 14-inch battleship guns
14"/50 caliber railway gun
The 14"/50 caliber railway guns were spare US Navy Mk 4 14 inch/50 caliber guns mounted on railway cars and operated by US Navy crews in France in the closing months of World War I.-Background:...
supported the French and American armies from 6 September until the Armistice, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
for his service during the war. He later commanded Destroyers, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and served as Chief of Staff at the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
; as President of the Board of Inspection and Survey
Board of Inspection and Survey
The Board of Inspection and Survey is a U.S. Navy organization whose purpose is to inspect and assess material condition of Naval vessels.The Board is currently headquartered at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia.- INSURV teams :...
; and as Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the New York Navy Yard and the 3rd Naval District.
Retiring in 1928, 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 :...
Plunkett died, in Washington, D.C., on 24 March 1931.