William Carleton Watts
Encyclopedia
William Carleton Watts was a rear admiral
in the United States Navy
, who served in the Spanish-American War
, World War I
, and World War II
.
, and the youngest son of U.S. diplomat Ethelbert Watts
(1846–1919) and his first wife Emily Pepper Watts. He was a direct descendant of Frederick Watts, a brigadier-general in the colonial army during the Revolutionary War. He attended the United States Naval Academy
from 1894 to 1898 and graduated at age 18, ranking second in his class.
During the Spanish–American War, which began as his senior year ended, he served on the protected cruiser
. He was promoted to ensign in 1900, and to lieutenant soon thereafter.
from January 6, 1917 to April 15, 1918, and then as the commander of the cruiser . As the flagship of Squadron 6, Patrol Force, Atlantic Fleet
, Albany escorted convoys of merchantmen, cargo ships, and troop transports back and forth across the Atlantic. Between July 1917 and the end of the war on 11 November 1918, she shepherded 11 such convoys safely between the United States and Europe. For this service Watts was awarded the Navy Cross
, "for distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the Albany engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines."
stationed in Vladivostok
, Siberia
, during the Russian Civil War
. The United States landed troops at Vladivostok, possibly to check Japanese pretensions in that area, and to secure the port as an exit for the Czech Legion
, then transiting the Trans-Siberian railway
. Watts sent armed landing parties ashore on several occasions in support of the troops and to evacuate sick and wounded men. The Americans withdrew in the spring of 1920, and the Albany resumed duty with the Asiatic Fleet.
In 1922 Watts served as Chief of the Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Division, Office of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy, then as commander of the light cruiser
in 1924, and as U.S. Naval Attaché in London
in 1925-27.
Promoted to rear admiral in 1930 he was the Commandant of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
in 1931-32, and in 1931 was appointed to preside over the court martial proceedings against controversial U.S. Marine major general Smedley Butler
, who had been accused of circulating false rumors regarding Italian dictator Benito Mussolini
. The proceedings were cancelled after an agreed-upon reprimand by the Secretary of the Navy of General Butler, who resigned from the Marine Corps soon thereafter.
Watts then served as the Commander of the Mine Force of the United States Pacific Fleet
in 1932-1934, Commandant of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
and commander of the Fourth Naval District in 1934-1937, commander of the battleship , and commandant of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and commander of the Ninth Naval District in 1939-1940.
, on January 5, 1956.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- 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...
, who served in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, 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...
, and 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...
.
Early life and career
Watts was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and the youngest son of U.S. diplomat Ethelbert Watts
Ethelbert Watts
Ethelbert Watts a United States diplomat for over twenty-four years, played important roles in the Spanish-American War, Russo-Japanese War, and World War I.-Family and personal background:...
(1846–1919) and his first wife Emily Pepper Watts. He was a direct descendant of Frederick Watts, a brigadier-general in the colonial army during the Revolutionary War. He attended 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...
from 1894 to 1898 and graduated at age 18, ranking second in his class.
During the Spanish–American War, which began as his senior year ended, he served on the protected cruiser
Protected cruiser
The protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...
. He was promoted to ensign in 1900, and to lieutenant soon thereafter.
World War I
Watts served as the first navigator of the battleship in 1914, and as executive officer of the battleship in 1916-17. With the rank of captain, Watts served as Judge Advocate General of the NavyJudge Advocate General of the Navy
The Judge Advocate General of the Navy is the highest ranking uniformed lawyer in the United States Department of the Navy. The Judge Advocate General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations on legal matters pertaining to the Navy...
from January 6, 1917 to April 15, 1918, and then as the commander of the cruiser . As the flagship of Squadron 6, Patrol Force, 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...
, Albany escorted convoys of merchantmen, cargo ships, and troop transports back and forth across the Atlantic. Between July 1917 and the end of the war on 11 November 1918, she shepherded 11 such convoys safely between the United States and Europe. For this service Watts 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...
, "for distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the Albany engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines."
Interwar period
In 1919-20 Watts was the senior U.S. Naval Officer of the International ForceSiberian Intervention
The ', or the Siberian Expedition, of 1918–1922 was the dispatch of troops of the Entente powers to the Russian Maritime Provinces as part of a larger effort by the western powers and Japan to support White Russian forces against the Bolshevik Red Army during the Russian Civil War...
stationed in Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
, during the Russian Civil War
Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War was a multi-party war that occurred within the former Russian Empire after the Russian provisional government collapsed to the Soviets, under the domination of the Bolshevik party. Soviet forces first assumed power in Petrograd The Russian Civil War (1917–1923) was a...
. The United States landed troops at Vladivostok, possibly to check Japanese pretensions in that area, and to secure the port as an exit for the Czech Legion
Czechoslovak Legions
The Czechoslovak Legions were volunteer armed forces composed predominantly of Czechs and Slovaks fighting together with the Entente powers during World War I...
, then transiting the Trans-Siberian railway
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is the longest railway in the world...
. Watts sent armed landing parties ashore on several occasions in support of the troops and to evacuate sick and wounded men. The Americans withdrew in the spring of 1920, and the Albany resumed duty with the Asiatic Fleet.
In 1922 Watts served as Chief of the Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Division, Office of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy, then as commander of the light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
in 1924, and as U.S. Naval Attaché in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1925-27.
Promoted to rear admiral in 1930 he was the Commandant of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
in 1931-32, and in 1931 was appointed to preside over the court martial proceedings against controversial U.S. Marine major general Smedley Butler
Smedley Butler
Smedley Darlington Butler was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, an outspoken critic of U.S. military adventurism, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S...
, who had been accused of circulating false rumors regarding Italian dictator Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
. The proceedings were cancelled after an agreed-upon reprimand by the Secretary of the Navy of General Butler, who resigned from the Marine Corps soon thereafter.
Watts then served as the Commander of the Mine Force of the United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
in 1932-1934, Commandant of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...
and commander of the Fourth Naval District in 1934-1937, commander of the battleship , and commandant of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and commander of the Ninth Naval District in 1939-1940.
World War II
Although he had retired from active service on December 1, 1940, after America's entry into World War II Watts was involved in the industrial incentives section of the Navy's office of public relations, speaking at ship launchings, and presenting "E" pennants to defense plants in recognition of outstanding war production. Watts retired again, reluctantly, in 1942 due to poor health.Personal life
He was married, on April 16, 1902, to Julia Florence Scott. They were the parents of one daughter, Emily Pepper Watts Tracy. He died in Rosemont, PennsylvaniaRosemont, Pennsylvania
Rosemont is a community in Pennsylvania on the Pennsylvania Main Line lying partly in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania and partly in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.Part of the geographic area is served by the Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, ZIP code...
, on January 5, 1956.
Awards
His navy decorations (medals) are as follows:- Navy CrossNavy CrossThe 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...
(1918) - Spanish-American War Campaign MedalSpanish Campaign MedalThe Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United...
(1898) - Mexican Campaign Medal (1917)
- World War I Victory Medal with Escort Bar (1918)
- American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
(1939–1942) - World War II Victory MedalWorld War II Victory MedalThe World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
(1945) - CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
n Military War Medal (1921)