This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Eller, Ernest McNeill (Judge), RADM 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 Marion, VA
Last Address Annapolis, MD
Date of Passing Jul 30, 1992
Location of Interment Salem Moravian Graveyard - Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Ernest was the son of Edward Edward Eller and Elizabeth McNeill Eller. He attended NorthWilkesboroHigh School and NC State University, and entered the United StatesNavalAcademy in 1921. He graduated in 1925 and received his Master of Arts in Psychology from GeorgeWashingtonUniversity in 1934.
He served in World War II and Korea. He entered as an Ensign and retired with the rank of Rear Admiral. He served on the USS Utah, the USS Texas, the USS S-33, the USS Saratoga. He served on the staff of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC), as Assistant Gunnery and Anti-submarine Training Officer. He also taught classes at the NavalAcademy.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the China Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1937 he received the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement.
Florida Class Battleship: Displacement 21,825 Tons, Dimensions, 521' 6" (oa) x 88' 3" x 30' 1" (Max). Armament 10 x 12"/45 16 x 5"/51, 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 11" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 11 1/2" Conning Tower. Machinery, 28,000 SHP; Direct Drive Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 20.75 Knots, Crew 1001.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Shipbuilding, Camden NJ., March 15, 1909. Launched December 23, 1909. Commissioned August 31, 1911. Converted and reclassified Target Ship AG-16, April 1, 1932. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken November 13, 1944.
Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii, December 7, 1941. Her hulk still rests rolled over in her berth, serving as a memorial to this day. 6 Officers and 58 Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty.
