Eugene P. Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Eugene P. "Dennis" Wilkinson (born August 1918) was a United States Naval officer who was selected for three historic command assignments. The first, in 1954, was as the first Commanding Officer of the USS Nautilus
, the world's first nuclear submarine. The second was in 1961, where Admiral Rickover selected him to serve as the first Commanding Officer of the USS Long Beach
, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
from which he retired in 1984.
, graduated from San Diego State College in 1938 and was commissioned in December 1940. He served aboard the submarine USS Darter (SS-227)
during World War II. Wilkinson was awarded the Silver Star
for his service aboard the Darter. Prior to commanding Nautilus, he commanded the submarines USS Volador (SS-490)
, USS Sea Robin (SS-407)
, and USS Wahoo (SS-565)
.
During his three-year tour aboard the Nautilus, he presided over pre-commissioning and post-commissioning trials of the submarine. These trials established the capabilities of the nuclear-powered submarine and were used in the development of early nuclear-powered submarine tactics. Nautilus successfully attacked surface ships without being detected and evaded most pursuers.
At 1100 on January 17, 1955, after getting underway, CDR Wilkinson signaled "Underway on Nuclear Power." This historic message ushered in the nuclear age for the United States Navy, as well as the world. CDR Wilkinson was the first commanding officer in a nuclear fleet that would eventually cover most of the aircraft carriers, several cruisers, and the entire submarine fleet for the United States Navy.
Following his tour aboard Nautilus, he commanded the Navy's first nuclear-powered surface ship, USS Long Beach (CGN-9) then became Director, Submarine Warfare Division from 1963 to 1966, Chief of Staff U.S. Forces Japan from 1966 to 1969, and Commander Submarine Flotilla Two from 1969 to 1970.
He retired with the rank of Vice Admiral
, having commanded the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1970 to 1972 and served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare from 1972 to1974.
After retiring from the navy he received:
Wilkinson, Eugene P., Stillwell, Paul, (interviewer). The Reminiscences of Vice Admiral Eugen P. Wilkinson U.S. Navy (Retired). Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute, 2006. OCLC 73501313
Stillwell, Paul, ed. Submarine Stories: Recollections from the Diesel Boats. 2007.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
USS Nautilus is the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine. She was the first vessel to complete a submerged transit beneath the North Pole on August 3, 1958...
, the world's first nuclear submarine. The second was in 1961, where Admiral Rickover selected him to serve as the first Commanding Officer of the USS Long Beach
USS Long Beach (CGN-9)
USS Long Beach was a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She was the only ship of her class....
, America's first nuclear surface ship. The third was in 1980 when he was chosen as the first President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations , headquartered in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, GA, is an organization established in 1979 by the U.S. nuclear power industry in response to recommendations by the Kemeny Commission Report, following the investigation of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 event...
from which he retired in 1984.
Biography and military career
Wilkinson, born in August 1918 in Long Beach, CaliforniaLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, graduated from San Diego State College in 1938 and was commissioned in December 1940. He served aboard the submarine USS Darter (SS-227)
USS Darter (SS-227)
USS Darter , a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the darter.Her keel was laid down on 20 October 1942 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 6 June 1943 , and commissioned on 7 September 1943, Commander William S....
during World War II. Wilkinson was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for his service aboard the Darter. Prior to commanding Nautilus, he commanded the submarines USS Volador (SS-490)
USS Volador (SS-490)
USS Volador , a , was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the volador. The contract to build her was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and her keel was laid down on 15 June 1945, but work on her construction was discontinued in January 1946...
, USS Sea Robin (SS-407)
USS Sea Robin (SS-407)
USS Sea Robin , a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the sea robin. This is a spiny-finned fish with red or brown coloring on its body and fins...
, and USS Wahoo (SS-565)
USS Wahoo (SS-565)
USS Wahoo , a , was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the wahoo, a dark blue food fish of Florida and the West Indies. The contract to build her was awarded to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and her keel was laid down on 24 October 1949. She was launched...
.
During his three-year tour aboard the Nautilus, he presided over pre-commissioning and post-commissioning trials of the submarine. These trials established the capabilities of the nuclear-powered submarine and were used in the development of early nuclear-powered submarine tactics. Nautilus successfully attacked surface ships without being detected and evaded most pursuers.
At 1100 on January 17, 1955, after getting underway, CDR Wilkinson signaled "Underway on Nuclear Power." This historic message ushered in the nuclear age for the United States Navy, as well as the world. CDR Wilkinson was the first commanding officer in a nuclear fleet that would eventually cover most of the aircraft carriers, several cruisers, and the entire submarine fleet for the United States Navy.
Following his tour aboard Nautilus, he commanded the Navy's first nuclear-powered surface ship, USS Long Beach (CGN-9) then became Director, Submarine Warfare Division from 1963 to 1966, Chief of Staff U.S. Forces Japan from 1966 to 1969, and Commander Submarine Flotilla Two from 1969 to 1970.
He retired with 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...
, having commanded the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1970 to 1972 and served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare from 1972 to1974.
Honors and awards
During his noteworthy naval career, Admiral Wilkinson earned:- 1944
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... - 1944
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit CommendationThe Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... - 1953
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... - 1955 Golden Fleece Award
- 1964
Joint Service Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... - 1969
The Japanese government awarded Wilkinson the Order of the Sacred TreasureOrder of the Sacred TreasureThe is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
, Second Class. - 1969
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...
2nd Award 1972 3rd Award 1974
After retiring from the navy he received:
- 1976
Navy Meritorious Public Service AwardNavy Meritorious Civilian Service AwardThe Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award is awarded to civilian employees in the Department of the Navy for meritorious service or contributions resulting in high value or benefits for the Navy or the Marine Corps... - 1983 George Washington Gold Medal ASMEAmerican Society of Mechanical EngineersThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
- 1984 Oliver Townsend Medal
- 1989 Uranium InstituteWorld Nuclear AssociationThe World Nuclear Association , formerly the Uranium Institute, is an international organization that promotes nuclear power and supports the many companies that comprise the global nuclear industry...
Gold Medal - 1990 Elected National Academy of Engineering
- 1994 Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award
- 1998 Walter H. Zinn Award from the American Nuclear SocietyAmerican Nuclear SocietyThe American Nuclear Society is an international, not-for-profit 501 scientific and educational organization with a membership of approximately 11,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students, and other associate members. Approximately 900 members live outside the United States in 40 countries....
.
See also
Remarks by VADM Eugene P. "Dennis" Wilkinson, USN (ret.) First Commanding Officer of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) 50th Anniversary of NAUTILUS' First Underway on Nuclear Power Submarine Force Museum Monday, January 17, 2005Wilkinson, Eugene P., Stillwell, Paul, (interviewer). The Reminiscences of Vice Admiral Eugen P. Wilkinson U.S. Navy (Retired). Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute, 2006. OCLC 73501313
Stillwell, Paul, ed. Submarine Stories: Recollections from the Diesel Boats. 2007.