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Steven Loomis (SaigonShipyard), IC3
to remember
SEMMES, Benedict Joseph (Navy Cross / DSM), VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Memphis
Last Address Adm. Semmes was in Virginia Beach to attend the decommissioning of a destroyer, the USS Ainsworth, named for his father-in-law. Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Date of Passing Jun 07, 1994
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Benedict Joseph Semmes Jr., 81, a retired Navy vice admiral and highly decorated World War II combat veteran who went to serve as chief of Naval Personnel and president of the Naval War College, died of respiratory failure June 4 after intestinal surgery at a hospital in Virginia Beach, Va.
A resident of Wonalancet, N.H., who also had lived in Washington off and on since 1952, Adm. Semmes was in Virginia Beach to attend the decommissioning of a destroyer, the USS Ainsworth, named for his father-in-law.
During World War II, Adm. Semmes received the Navy Cross, the Navy’s highest award for valor after the Medal of Honor, while commanding the destroyer Picking during the Okinawa campaign.
Vice Adm. Benedict J. Semmes was president of the Naval War College from August 17, 1971 to June 30, 1972.
Other Comments:
BENEDICT JOSEPH SEMMES, JR.
Navy Cross Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Benedict J. Semmes, Jr., Commander, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PICKING (DD-685), in action against the enemy on 18 May 1945, while deployed off Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
Benedict Joseph Semmes Jr., A Retired Vice Admiral In The Navy, Died June 4 1994 In Virginia Beach, Va. He Was 81. Mr. Semmes Was Born In Memphis, Tenn., And Lived In Washington, D.C., And Wonalancet, N.H., For Many Years.
During His Naval Career, He Was Commander Of The U.S. Second Fleet And Atlantic Striking Fleet And Chief Of Naval Personnel. In 1970, Mr. Semmes Became Deputy Chief Of Naval Operations And Later Was Named President Of The Naval War College At Newport, R.I., Before His Retirement In 1972.
He Was Director Of The Freedom Foundation At Valley Forge, President Of The Wonalancet Preservation Association And A Member Of The Army-Navy Club Of Washington, D.C.
Survivors Include His Wife, Katherine Ainsworth Semmes; A Son, Benedict Semmes Iii Of Chevy Chase, Md.; Two Daughters, Walden Morton Of Wonalancet And Amy Semmes Of Medford, Mass.; A Brother, Granville Semmes Of New Orleans;And Nine Grandchildren. The Funeral And Burial Were Held Wednesday At Arlington National Cemetery. 06-17-1994 Times Picayune
