Frank B. Upham
Encyclopedia
Frank Brooks Upham was an admiral
in the United States Navy
during the Spanish American War and World War I
.
, Upham was appointed to the United States Naval Academy
on 6 September 1889 and graduated on 2 June 1893. Following the completion of the two required years of postgraduate sea duty—which he served with the Pacific Squadron
in protected cruiser
Philadelphia
— Upham was commissioned an ensign on 1 July 1895 and joined Olympia (Cruiser No. 6)
on 18 July before she sailed for the Far East
to become the flagship
of the Asiatic Squadron
. At the time of the Spanish-American War, Upham was on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Asiatic Squadron, Commodore George Dewey
; and the young officer received his baptism of fire during the Battle of Manila Bay.
He advanced up the officer ranks of the Navy, eventually attaining flag rank in 1927. During the years before World War I, Upham's sea duty embraced tours in Oregon (Battleship No. 3)
, New Jersey (Battleship No. 16)
, and South Dakota (Armored Cruiser No. 9)
; he also commanded Olympia and the yacht
Scorpion
. He served tours of duty ashore at Newport, Rhode Island
, at the Naval War College
and in Washington
at the Bureau of Ordnance
. His overseas shore duty began in the summer of 1911 when he took up the duties of Assistant Naval Attache at Tokyo
and Peking, shortly before the outbreak of the Chinese Revolution in October of that year.
During World War I, Upham commanded Columbia (Cruiser No. 12)
and Pueblo (Armored Cruiser No. 7) and earned the Navy Cross
for leading the latter during the "difficult, exacting, and hazardous" convoy escort missions across the Atlantic.
In the years following the armistice
, Capt. Upham was Chief of Staff to the Commander, Battleship Force, Atlantic Fleet
—Rear Admiral Hilary P. Jones
—before serving successive tours of shore duty: in Paris
as naval attache and in Washington assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence
. He commanded Tennessee (BB-43)
from September 1924 to March 1926 and subsequently filled the billet of commandant of the naval air station at Pensacola, Florida
. He capitalized on this assignment to earn his naval aviation observer's wings. Reaching flag rank in June 1927, Upham successively commanded Battleship Division 3 and Submarine Divisions, Control Force, and served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
.
Given the temporary rank of admiral on 18 August 1933, Upham returned to the Far East as Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, and broke his flag in cruiser Augusta (CA-31)
commanded by Capt. (later Fleet Admiral) Chester W. Nimitz. Relieved by Admiral Orin G. Murfin
in October 1935, Upham returned to the United States to serve as chairman of the General Board from 20 December 1935 to 30 September 1936.
Placed on the retired list on 1 October 1936, Rear Admiral Upham died in San Francisco, California
.
, the U.S. Navy destroyer escort
USS Upham (DE-283) was named for Admiral Upham. She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport USS Upham (APD-99)
and was in commission
as such from 1945 to 1946.
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
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...
during the Spanish American War 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
Born at Fort Apache, ArizonaFort Apache, Arizona
Fort Apache is an unincorporated community in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Fort Apache is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation east of Canyon Day. Fort Apache has a post office with ZIP code 85926....
, Upham was appointed to 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...
on 6 September 1889 and graduated on 2 June 1893. Following the completion of the two required years of postgraduate sea duty—which he served with the Pacific Squadron
Pacific Squadron
The Pacific Squadron was part of the United States Navy squadron stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially with no United States ports in the Pacific, they operated out of storeships which provided naval supplies and purchased food and obtained water from local...
in protected cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
Philadelphia
USS Philadelphia (C-4)
The fourth USS Philadelphia , also known as "Cruiser No. 4", was a cruiser of the United States Navy.She was laid down 22 March 1888 by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, launched 7 September 1889, sponsored by Miss Minnie Wanamaker, daughter of merchant and philanthropist John...
— Upham was commissioned an ensign on 1 July 1895 and joined Olympia (Cruiser No. 6)
USS Olympia (C-6)
USS Olympia is a protected cruiser which saw service in the United States Navy from her commissioning in 1895 until 1922. This vessel became famous as the flagship of Commodore George Dewey at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The ship was decommissioned after...
on 18 July before she sailed for the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
to become the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the Asiatic Squadron
Asiatic Squadron
The Asiatic Squadron was a squadron of United States Navy warships stationed in East Asia during the latter half of the 19th century, it was created in 1868 when the East India Squadron was disbanded...
. At the time of the Spanish-American War, Upham was on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Asiatic Squadron, Commodore George Dewey
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...
; and the young officer received his baptism of fire during the Battle of Manila Bay.
He advanced up the officer ranks of the Navy, eventually attaining flag rank in 1927. During the years before World War I, Upham's sea duty embraced tours in Oregon (Battleship No. 3)
USS Oregon (BB-3)
USS Oregon was a pre-Dreadnought of the United States Navy. Her construction was authorized on 30 June 1890, and the contract to build her was awarded to Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California on 19 November 1890. Her keel was laid exactly one year later...
, New Jersey (Battleship No. 16)
USS New Jersey (BB-16)
USS New Jersey was a Virginia-class battleship of the United States Navy. She was the first ship to carry her name. New Jersey was launched on 10 November 1904 by Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Mrs. William B. Kenney, daughter of Governor Franklin Murphy of...
, and South Dakota (Armored Cruiser No. 9)
USS South Dakota (ACR-9)
The second USS South Dakota , also referred to "Armored Cruiser No. 9", and later renamed Huron , was a United States Navy Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser....
; he also commanded Olympia and the yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
Scorpion
USS Scorpion (PY-3)
The fourth USS Scorpion was a steam yacht in commission in the United States Navy from 1898-1899, 1899-1901, and 1902-1927.-Construction and acquisition:...
. He served tours of duty ashore at Newport, Rhode Island
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...
, 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...
and in Washington
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....
at the Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
. His overseas shore duty began in the summer of 1911 when he took up the duties of Assistant Naval Attache at Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and Peking, shortly before the outbreak of the Chinese Revolution in October of that year.
During World War I, Upham commanded Columbia (Cruiser No. 12)
USS Columbia (C-12)
The fourth USS Columbia was an unarmored protected cruiser in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I. She was the lead ship of her class of two cruisers; her sister ship was...
and Pueblo (Armored Cruiser No. 7) and earned 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 leading the latter during the "difficult, exacting, and hazardous" convoy escort missions across the Atlantic.
In the years following the armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
, Capt. Upham was Chief of Staff to the Commander, Battleship Force, Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
—Rear Admiral Hilary P. Jones
Hilary P. Jones
Hilary Pollard Jones, Jr. was an officer in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I. During the early 1920s, he served as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet....
—before serving successive tours of shore duty: in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
as naval attache and in Washington assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence
Office of Naval Intelligence
The Office of Naval Intelligence was established in the United States Navy in 1882. ONI was established to "seek out and report" on the advancements in other nations' navies. Its headquarters are at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland...
. He commanded Tennessee (BB-43)
USS Tennessee (BB-43)
USS Tennessee , the lead ship of her class of battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 16th US state. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she was damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 but was repaired and modernized...
from September 1924 to March 1926 and subsequently filled the billet of commandant of the naval air station at Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. He capitalized on this assignment to earn his naval aviation observer's wings. Reaching flag rank in June 1927, Upham successively commanded Battleship Division 3 and Submarine Divisions, Control Force, and served as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
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...
.
Given the temporary rank of admiral on 18 August 1933, Upham returned to the Far East as Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, and broke his flag in cruiser Augusta (CA-31)
USS Augusta (CA-31)
USS Augusta was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, notable for service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II, and for her occasional use as a presidential flagship carrying both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman under wartime conditions...
commanded by Capt. (later Fleet Admiral) Chester W. Nimitz. Relieved by Admiral Orin G. Murfin
Orin G. Murfin
Orin Gould Murfin was an admiral in the United States Navy.Murfin served as the commanding officer of USS Albany in 1916 and of West Virginia , 1928-29. From 1931-34, he was the Navy's Judge Advocate General.He also served as Commander-in-Chief, Asiatic Fleet, 1935-36...
in October 1935, Upham returned to the United States to serve as chairman of the General Board from 20 December 1935 to 30 September 1936.
Placed on the retired list on 1 October 1936, Rear Admiral Upham died in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
.
Namesake
During World War IIWorld 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 U.S. Navy destroyer escort
Destroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
USS Upham (DE-283) was named for Admiral Upham. She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport USS Upham (APD-99)
USS Upham (APD-99)
USS Upham , ex-DE-283, was a United States Navy high-speed transport in commission from 1945 to 1946.-Construction and commissioning:...
and was in commission
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
as such from 1945 to 1946.