Louis E. Denfeld

Louis E. Denfeld
Birth name	Louis Emil Denfeld
Born	(1891-04-13)April 13, 1891 Westborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	Westborough, Massachusetts, U.S.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1912–1950
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	USS McCall Destroyer Division 11 Destroyer Division 18 Destroyer Squadron 1 Battleship Division 9 Pacific Fleet Chief of Naval Operations
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2)

Louis Emil Denfeld (April 13, 1891 – March 28, 1972) was Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy from December 15, 1947 to November 1, 1949. He also held several significant surface commands during World War II, and after the war commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Life and Naval career

Born in Westborough, Massachusetts, Denfeld graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1912. He took command of the destroyer McCall (DD-28) in 1919 and served aboard the submarine S-24 (SS-129) during 1923 and 1924. He commanded Destroyer Division 11 from 1935 to 1937.

Denfeld was selected to be aide to the Chief of Naval Operations in 1939, then commanded first Destroyer Division 18, then Destroyer Squadron 1 from 1939 to 1941. He served as Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Atlantic fleet, Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll. For planning of safe routes for escort convoys in this capacity, Denfeld received the Legion of Merit.

Atlantic Fleet Support Force in 1941, then became assistant chief to the Bureau of Navigation in 1942. He led Battleship Division 9 in 1945, was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Personnel in 1945, and commanded Pacific Fleet and all U.S. forces in the area in 1947.

On February 28, 1947 Denfeld was named Military Governor of the Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, and Mariana Islands, replacing Admiral John H. Towers.

Denfeld was appointed Chief of Naval Operations on December 15, 1947.

Due to his role in the "Revolt of the Admirals", he was detached from duty by the Secretary of the Navy Francis P. Matthews on November 1, 1949, and retired in 1950.

He was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1950. He lost the Republican nomination to Arthur W. Coolidge.

Denfield died in Westborough, Massachusetts at the age of 80. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations

Admiral Louis E. Denfeld received a many decorations during his long navy career. Here is his ribbon bar:

Submarine Warfare insignia
1st Row	Navy Distinguished Service Medal						Legion of Merit w/ Gold star and "V" Device
2nd Row	Mexican Service Medal				Haitian Campaign Medal				World War I Victory Medal w/ Battle clasp
3rd Row	Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal				American Defense Service Medal				American Campaign Medal
4th Row	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ three service stars				World War II Victory Medal				Philippine Liberation Medal

References

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the Naval History & Heritage Command document "Admiral Louis E. Denfeld" (retrieved on February 20, 2009).

Military offices
Preceded by John H. Towers	Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet 1947	Succeeded by DeWitt C. Ramsey
Preceded by Chester W. Nimitz	United States Chief of Naval Operations 1947–1949	Succeeded by Forrest P. Sherman