This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Harlfinger, Frederick Joseph, II, VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Albany, NY
Last Address 3420 Flamingo Ave Sarasota FL 34242-1004
Date of Passing Dec 21, 1993
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Frederick Joseph "Fritz" Harlfinger II, 80, a retired Navy vice admiral who was a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and later served as chief of Naval Intelligence, died of a respiratory ailment Dec. 21 at a hospital in Sarasota, Fla. He lived in Sarasota.
Adm. Harlfinger's career had two distinct parts. The first was his World War II career as a submariner, during which he won the Navy Cross, the Navy's second-highest award for valor. The second part of his career encompassed the postwar years, when he held some of the Navy's highest intelligence posts.
His decorations, in addition to the Navy Cross, included the Distinguished Service Medal, three Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit and the Bronze Star with combat "V."
From 1971 until retiring from active duty in 1974, he was director of Command Support Programs in the CNO's office. That directorate centralized the Navy's intelligence, communications and reconnaissance work.
After that, he was a consultant and a regional president of the Navy League. He lived in Woolford, Md., before moving to Sarasota in 1983.
Pennsylvania Class Battleship: Displacement 31,400 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 6" (oa) x 97' 1" x 29' 10" (Max). Armament 12 x 14"/45 14 x 5"/51, 4 x 3"/50 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3" +2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 34,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 915.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, March 16, 1914. Launched June 19, 1915. Commissioned October 17, 1916. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken December 1, 1942.
Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7 1941. Arizona still rests in the berth where she sank. A Memorial to her crew was built over the wreck in 1962. 1,177 Officers and Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty inside her rusting hulk. The wreck is still bleeding fuel oil, more than 70 years after her sinking.
