James Shepherd Freeman
Encyclopedia
James Shepherd Freeman was a World War II
Rear Admiral in the United States Navy
and the son of Alabama
millionaire James Stanley Freeman
.
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1921 before entering a career in the Navy. His assignments prior to World War II included serving as chief executive officer of the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor
in Hawaii
.
While commander of the USS Alchiba
, he was assigned to bring supplies and ammunition to Marines stationed in Guadalcanal
. On November 28, 1942, his ship was torpedoed by two Japanese midget submarines. Freeman ordered the Alchibas engines turned to full throttle and ran the ship ashore, saving the lives of the crew and ensuring that the much-needed ammunition was not lost. Freeman received the Navy Cross
for his actions.
The admiral is also featured in the self-described "UFO disclosure" documentary Fastwalkers: They Are Here as the commander of a naval ship whose crew reported sitings of extraterrestrial activity at sea. In the film, Freeman is reported to have had photographs of UFOs that were supposed to be shown to other naval officers. It is unclear whether such photos existed or were ever made public.
Freeman is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
in Arlington, Virginia. He was married to Dorothea Steinmann Freeman, whom he widowed. He is often referred to as "James Freeman, Sr." to distinguish him from his son, a prominent corporate and political figure of the 1960s and 1970s, also named Jim
.
. He entered the Naval Academy, but was later released on a medical discharge. He graduated in 1948 from Auburn University
in Alabama. That same year, Freeman married Betty Jeane Pierce, a great grandniece of former President Franklin Pierce
and daughter of newspaper publisher Edgar H. Pierce. After retiring as a senior Union Carbide
executive in 1979, he declined an invitation by then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan
to serve as Secretary of Labor for Reagan's first presidential term. He had five children and ten grandchildren.
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...
Rear 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...
and the son of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
millionaire James Stanley Freeman
James Stanley Freeman
James Stanley Freeman , known as "Big Jim", was an Alabama millionaire in the early 20th century and one of the first Americans to amount a fortune through Wall Street investments....
.
He graduated from 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...
in 1921 before entering a career in the Navy. His assignments prior to World War II included serving as chief executive officer of the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
While commander of the USS Alchiba
USS Alchiba (AKA-6)
USS Alchiba was an of the United States Navy, named after Alchiba, a star in the Constellation Corvus. She served as a commissioned ship for 4 years and 7 months.-Operational history:...
, he was assigned to bring supplies and ammunition to Marines stationed in 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 November 28, 1942, his ship was torpedoed by two Japanese midget submarines. Freeman ordered the Alchibas engines turned to full throttle and ran the ship ashore, saving the lives of the crew and ensuring that the much-needed ammunition was not lost. Freeman received 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 his actions.
The admiral is also featured in the self-described "UFO disclosure" documentary Fastwalkers: They Are Here as the commander of a naval ship whose crew reported sitings of extraterrestrial activity at sea. In the film, Freeman is reported to have had photographs of UFOs that were supposed to be shown to other naval officers. It is unclear whether such photos existed or were ever made public.
Freeman is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
in Arlington, Virginia. He was married to Dorothea Steinmann Freeman, whom he widowed. He is often referred to as "James Freeman, Sr." to distinguish him from his son, a prominent corporate and political figure of the 1960s and 1970s, also named Jim
James Freeman
James Freeman and Jim Freeman may refer to:*James Freeman , American Unitarian clergyman*James C. Freeman , United States Congressman*James Darcy Freeman , Catholic cardinal who was archbishop of Sydney...
.
James Shepherd Freeman, Jr.
James Shepherd Freeman, Jr. (1926 in San Diego, CA – 1997 in Jasper, AL) spent his childhood in Hawaii while his father was commanding at Pearl Harbor. As a teenager he was linked romantically to actress Shirley TempleShirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
. He entered the Naval Academy, but was later released on a medical discharge. He graduated in 1948 from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in Alabama. That same year, Freeman married Betty Jeane Pierce, a great grandniece of former President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
and daughter of newspaper publisher Edgar H. Pierce. After retiring as a senior Union Carbide
Union Carbide
Union Carbide Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. It currently employs more than 2,400 people. Union Carbide primarily produces chemicals and polymers that undergo one or more further conversions by customers before reaching consumers. Some are high-volume...
executive in 1979, he declined an invitation by then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to serve as Secretary of Labor for Reagan's first presidential term. He had five children and ten grandchildren.