This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Steven Loomis, IC3
to remember
Strauss, Joseph, ADM USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Mount Morris
Date of Passing Dec 30, 1948
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Joseph Strauss was appointed Cadet Engineer from Virginia. He entered the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland on 1 October 1881. He completed the four-year course in June, 1885 and served two years at sea, as required by law, before being commissioned.
He was commissioned Ensign 1 July 1887 and began a distinguished career as a specialist in ordnance in June 1893 when he reported to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C.
During the Spanish-American War he served on the USS Lancaster blockading the Cuban coast, then returned to the Bureau of Ordnance. He established the Naval Proving Ground, Indian Head, Md., from 1900 to 1902; served on the Special Board of Naval Ordnance in 1906; and was a member of the Joint Army-Navy Board on Smokeless Powders the following year.
He conducted experimental work with torpedoes while commanding the cruiser Montgomery from 1909 to 1911; commanded Ohio BB-12 in 1912; then became Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance on 21 October 1913.
Strauss assumed command of Nevada (BB-36) on 30 December 1916 and remained in command as the United States entered World War I. Detached from the battle ship in February 1918, he was designated Commander, Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal both for directing the laying of the North Sea Mine Barrage and for the hazardous task of clearing it after peace came.
In October 1919, he returned to the Navy Department to serve as a member of the General Board until March 1921, when he became Commander in Chief of the Asiatic Fleet with the rank of Admiral. He resumed duty with the General Board in October 1922. The following year, he also worked with Congress on the budget and appropriations.
He transferred to the Retired List 16 November 1925 but returned briefly to active duty on 8 October 1937 to 8 February 1938 to serve on the Advisory Board on Battleship Plans.
Admiral Strauss was a founder of the Naval Historical Society and a long-time financial adviser of the Navy Relief Society.
Among his inventions were the super-imposed system of mounting guns; the first spring recoil gun mount, the first disappearing mount for deck guns of submarines, and the 12-inch gun, the fore-runner of the mighty guns for capital ships' main batteries.
He received a special letter of appreciation from Secretary of the Navy Charles F. Adams in 1929 for his work on safety devices of submarines and the salvaging of sunken submarines. He died 30 December 1948 and was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16), named for Admiral Joseph Strauss was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy
In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal, Admiral Strauss received, from the King of England, the Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George, awarded by the governments of Great Britain and Ireland.
In addition, Admiral Strauss was awarded the Second Order of the Sacred Treasury by the Japanese Government; the Croix de Commander de la Legion d'Honneur by the French Government; and the order of Hun Hui by the Chinese Government. His other decorations include the Sampson Medal, the Spanish Campaign Medal, and the World War I Victory medal with Mine Laying Clasp.
