Francis W. Rockwell (admiral)
Encyclopedia
Francis Warren Rockwell (July 2, 1886 – January 2, 1979) was a Vice Admiral
in the United States Navy
who served from 1908 to 1948.
. He entered the Naval Academy
in 1908. After various assignments, he directed the fitting out of the destroyer in 1912-1914. In 1914 he joined the faculty of the Naval Academy as an instructor in electrical engineering
and physics
, serving there until 1917 when the United States entered World War I
.
s in Queenstown
, Ireland
, during the war. He commanded in 1918 and then the new destroyer in 1919. In 1920 he returned as an instructor at the Naval Academy, serving there until 1923. He was Gunnery Officer on from 1923-1926. He returned as an instructor at the Naval Academy from 1926-1929 before commanding , and before becoming Executive Officer on . After a stint in the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C.
, he commanded from 1939 to 1941.
, consisting of the Philippine Islands. He was present in Cavite Navy Yard
when it was bombed on December 10, 1941. Most of Cavite's facilities were destroyed and the submarine was sunk. Rockwell estimated that 500 men were killed. The next day, with fires still burning, he recommended Cavite be stripped of usable fuel and equipment and abandoned. He organized the withdrawal of remaining Allied naval forces and civilian ships from the Philippines and left in March 1942. Then, he planned the naval transport of the invasion force for the Battle of Attu
of May 1943. He returned to the Navy Department in 1943 and commanded the Atlantic Fleet's Amphibious Training Command until the end of the war.
, Awarded for actions during World War II
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, Awarded for actions during World War II
Navy Cross
, Awarded for actions during World War I
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
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...
who served from 1908 to 1948.
Early life and career
Rockwell was born in South Woodstock, ConnecticutSouth Woodstock, Connecticut
South Woodstock is a census-designated place in Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,211 at the 2000 census.It is notable as the former home of the now-defunct Annhurst College.-Geography:...
. He entered 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 1908. After various assignments, he directed the fitting out of the destroyer in 1912-1914. In 1914 he joined the faculty of the Naval Academy as an instructor in electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, serving there until 1917 when 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...
.
World War I and interwar years
Rockwell served aboard the battleship and aboard various destroyerDestroyer
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...
s in Queenstown
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, during the war. He commanded in 1918 and then the new destroyer in 1919. In 1920 he returned as an instructor at the Naval Academy, serving there until 1923. He was Gunnery Officer on from 1923-1926. He returned as an instructor at the Naval Academy from 1926-1929 before commanding , and before becoming Executive Officer on . After a stint in the Department of the Navy 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....
, he commanded from 1939 to 1941.
World War II
On November 5, 1941, Rockwell assumed command of the 16th Naval DistrictUnited States Naval Districts
The naval district is a military and administrative command ashore, established for the purpose of decentralizing the U.S. Navy Department's functions with respect to the control of the coastwise sea communications and the shore activities outside the department proper, and for the further purpose...
, consisting of the Philippine Islands. He was present in Cavite Navy Yard
U.S. Naval Station Sangley Point
Naval Station Sangley Point was a communication and hospital facility of the United States Navy which occupied the northern portion of the Cavite City peninsula and is surrounded by Manila Bay, approximately eight miles southwest of Manila, the Philippines. The station was a part of the Cavite...
when it was bombed on December 10, 1941. Most of Cavite's facilities were destroyed and the submarine was sunk. Rockwell estimated that 500 men were killed. The next day, with fires still burning, he recommended Cavite be stripped of usable fuel and equipment and abandoned. He organized the withdrawal of remaining Allied naval forces and civilian ships from the Philippines and left in March 1942. Then, he planned the naval transport of the invasion force for the Battle of Attu
Battle of Attu
The Battle of Attu, which took place from 11-30 May 1943, was fought entirely between forces of the United States and the Empire of Japan on Attu Island off the coast of Alaska. The action, which was part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign during the Pacific War, was the only land battle of World War...
of May 1943. He returned to the Navy Department in 1943 and commanded the Atlantic Fleet's Amphibious Training Command until the end of the war.
Retirement
Rockwell retired as Vice Admiral in 1948. He lived in Georgia until his death in 1979.Awards and merits
Silver StarSilver 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....
, Awarded for actions during 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...
| The President President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... of the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... of America, authorized by Act of Congress United States Congress The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.... , July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... Francis Warren Rockwell, 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... , for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Commandant, SIXTEENTH Naval District, during the period 11 to 13 March 1942, in the Philippine Islands during a extraordinary action a retrograde maneuver involving General General A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the... . Admiral Rockwell made detailed plans involving exacting preparations for a movement of major strategic importance and of the most hazardous nature, then executed the mission with marked skill and coolness in the face of greatly superior enemy forces. The conduct of Admiral Rockwell throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Forces of the United States. General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Order No. 43 (March 15, 1942) - Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942) |
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...
, Awarded for actions during World War II
| The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Francis Warren Rockwell, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. As Commandant of the SIXTEENTH Naval District Rear Admiral Rockwell displayed outstanding qualities of efficiency, leadership and judgment under difficult, arduous and hazardous circumstances during the Japanese assaults on Cavite, Philippine Islands, in December 1941, and the subsequent defense of Bataan Bataan Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north... Peninsula and the fortified islands at the entrance of Manila Bay both by United States Military and Naval Forces. General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942) |
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...
, Awarded for actions during World War I
| The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Francis Warren Rockwell, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. WINSLOW, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I. |
See also
- Philippines Campaign (1941–42)
- Battle of AttuBattle of AttuThe Battle of Attu, which took place from 11-30 May 1943, was fought entirely between forces of the United States and the Empire of Japan on Attu Island off the coast of Alaska. The action, which was part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign during the Pacific War, was the only land battle of World War...
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe 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...