Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy
The U.S.S. Leahy proudly carries the name of Fleet Admiral Leahy. He was one of our most famous Naval officers. In the 186 years of our nation's history, only a few individuals have been privileged to actively serve their country in war and in peace with constant excellence for the extensive period of 66 years. The public service of William Leahy began in 1893 with his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy as a Naval Cadet; it ended with his death in 1959 when, as Fleet Admiral, he was serving as advisor to the Secretary of the Navy. In between lay an amazing career of many facets, all glistening with the brilliance of "extra ordinary qualities of leadership" and "exceptionally meritorious service".
He was born in Hampton, Iowa on May 6,1875, the son of M. A. and Rose Hamilton, Leahy and grew up in Ashland, Wisconsin. Destined to participate in the making of so much history, he began soon after graduation from the Academy in 1897 with service in the U. S. S. OREGON during her famous dash around the Horn from the Pacific in the spring of '98. After fighting the Spanish Fleet in Santiago, Cuba and rounding out his required sea duty as a Naval Cadet on the U.S.S. TEXAS, he was commissioned Ensign in 1899. During his 28 years of commissioned service before promotion to Rear Admiral, his assignments were distinctive and significant, including six commands at sea ranging from the gunboat MARIVELES to the battleship NEW MEXICO. His duties covered the world from the Asiatic Station through the Americas to the Middle East. It was in 1913 when in command of the Secretary of the Navy's dispatch gunboat DOLPHIN, that he began his association with Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In 1917 he was awarded the Navy Cross while commanding the transport PRINCESS MATOIKA on the North Atlantic runs.As Rear Admiral from 1927 to 1935 he served as Chief, Bureau of Ordnance; Commander Destroyers, U.S.Fleet; member of the Board on the reorganization of the Navy Department; Chief, Bureau of Navigation. FromJuly 1935 to August 1939 he served as Commander Battleships, Battle Force, with the rank of Vice Admiral; Commander in Chief, Battle Force, with the rank of Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations.He retired in 1939 after 46 years of Naval service. Upon retirement, Admiral Leahy was appointed Governor of Puerto Rico. He held this position until 1941 at which time he was appointed Ambassador to France. In May of 1942 he resigned as Ambassador and was accepted by President Roosevelt to active duty as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the U.S, Army and Navy. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to his country, he was appointed as the first Fleet Admiral of the U.S. Navy on 15 December 1944. He was retained as Chief of Staff by President Truman from 1945 until 1949, when he resigned as Chief Of Staff, but continued on duty as advisor to the Secretary Of The Navy, until his death on July 20, 1959. No man, even one of Admiral Leahy's stature, is complete unto himself. His wife, Loise, was admired by all and was a source of inspiration and joy to him. They were both buried in Arlington National Cemetary and are survived by one son, Rear Admiral William H. Leahy, USN (Ret.), and two grandchildren, Mrs. John C. Walker, III and First Lieutenant Robert B. Leahy, USMC. The USS Leahy was commissioned on August 4, 1962 in honor of this great naval officer and outstanding American.]