USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968) the sixth Spruance-class Destroyer in the Fleet. Named after ADM Arthur W. Radford. Admiral Radford served in three wars. He was onboard the USS SOUTH CAROLINA, a battleship in the Atlantic Fleet, and was Aide and First Lieutenant to commander, Battleship Division ONE during World War I. He served in the Navy Department's Bureau of Aeronautics and Naval Personnel and in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations early in World War II; and as Commander, Carrier Divisions 11 and 6, and on the Staff of Commander, Aircraft Pacific, during the after part of that war. At the outbreak of Korean hostilities, he was serving as commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, later being given the responsibility of the Marianas Bonin area and the Philippines Formosa area.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, in February 1896, he entered the Naval Academy in 1912 after graduating from High School in Grinnel, Iowa. He graduated and was commissioned in 1916 and assigned to USS SOUTH CAROLINA. From the end of World War I until 1920 he served staff duty. In April 1920 he was assigned to flight training school and was designated a Naval Aviator in November of that year. Follow on assignments included the newly established Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, as well as the aviation units of the tender AROOSTOCK, and the battleships COLORADO and PENNSYLVANIA.
In December 1945, he became Deputy Commander of Naval Operations (Air) and after a year in command of SECOND TASK FLEET, he returned to the Navy department as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. In June 1953 he was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired on 1 August 1957.
