Ralph W. Cousins
Encyclopedia
Ralph W. Cousins was a United States Navy four star admiral and aviator. As an aircraft carrier
pilot, Cousins led dive-bomber attacks against the Imperial Japanese Navy
at the Battle of the Coral Sea
in May 1942 for which he was awarded the Navy Cross
. During the Vietnam War
from 1967–1969, Cousins commanded the attack carrier strike force of five carriers stationed off the coast of Vietnam. In 1970, Cousins was promoted to four star admiral and appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations
. From 1972 to 1975, he commanded the US Atlantic Fleet
and NATO forces.
Cousins retired from the navy in 1975 and served as president and executive of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock until his retirement in 1985. He died on August 5, 2009 from complications from a fall in Newport News, Virginia where he had lived since his retirement. His wife of 60 years, Mary McBride, had died in 2007. He left no immediate survivors.
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
pilot, Cousins led dive-bomber attacks against the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
at the Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
in May 1942 for which he was awarded 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...
. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
from 1967–1969, Cousins commanded the attack carrier strike force of five carriers stationed off the coast of Vietnam. In 1970, Cousins was promoted to four star admiral and appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
. From 1972 to 1975, he commanded the US Atlantic Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
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...
and NATO forces.
Cousins retired from the navy in 1975 and served as president and executive of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock until his retirement in 1985. He died on August 5, 2009 from complications from a fall in Newport News, Virginia where he had lived since his retirement. His wife of 60 years, Mary McBride, had died in 2007. He left no immediate survivors.