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Michael D. Withers (Mike), OSCS
to remember
Blandy, William Henry (Spike), ADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town New York
Last Address St Albans, New York
Date of Passing Jan 12, 1954
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
William H. P. Blandy graduated 1st in his class from the Naval Academy in 1913. He participated in the occupation of Veracruz in 1914 and served on board a battleship with the British Grand Fleet during World War I.
During World War II he was Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance; Commander, Group 1, Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet; and Commander, Cruisers and Destroyers, Pacific Fleet. After the war he commanded JTF 1 during the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. He commanded the 2nd Task Fleet and later served as Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet.
He was a veteran of both World Wars as well as Vera Cruz, Mexico. He is, however, most known for overseeing the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Island in the Pacific Ocean.
Other Comments:
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral William Henry Purnell Blandy, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance from 19 February 1941 to 9 December 1943. During the period of intensive preparedness prior to our entry into the war and since the actual outbreak of hostilities, Rear Admiral Blandy, by keen foresight and sound analysis, successfully formulated and executed plans for rapid expansion of all ordnance activities incident to the effective prosecution of full-scale naval warfare. Under his thorough and resourceful administration urgent organizational problems were competently solved and vital armament requirements adequately fulfilled with maximum efficiency and minimum delay. His forceful initiative and superior technical skill contributed materially to the progressive effectiveness of our coordinated war effort and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: February 19, 1941 - December 9, 1943
Service: Navy
Rank: Rear Admiral
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral William Henry Purnell Blandy, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while organizing and commanding the assault force engaged in the amphibious attack on Japanese-held Angaur Island during the period of July to September 1944. Rear Admiral Blandy displayed outstanding ability in forming, training, and operating his force. Under his aggressive direction the assault of Angaur was brought to a rapid and completely successful conclusion. His personal courage, determination, and excellent leadership throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: July - September 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Rear Admiral
The fourth and final ship of the Colorado Class Battleship, USS West Virginia (BB-48) was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding on April 12, 1920. Construction moved forward and on November 19, 1921, it slid down the ways with Alice W. Mann, daughter of West Virginia coal magnate Isaac T. Mann, serving as sponsor. After another two years of work, West Virginia was completed and entered commission on December 1, 1923, with Captain Thomas J. Senn in command.
: Displacement 32,600 Tons, Dimensions, 624' (oa) x 97' 4" x 31' 4" (Max). Armament 8 x 16"/45 14 x 5"/51, 4 x 3"/50AA 2 x 21" tt.Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3 1/2" + 1 1/2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 28,900 SHP; Turbines with Electric Drive, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 1080. Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA, April 12, 1920.
Launched November 19, 1921. Commissioned December 1, 1923. Decommissioned January 9, 1947. Stricken March 1, 1959. Fate: Sold August 2, 1959 and broken up for scrap.
USS West Virginia (BB-48) - Pearl Harbor:
On the morning of December 7, 1941, West Virginia was moored along Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row, outboard of USS Tennessee (BB-43), when the Japanese attacked and pulled the United States into World War II. In a vulnerable position with its port side exposed, West Virginia sustained seven torpedo hits (six exploded) from Japanese aircraft. Only rapid counter-flooding by the battleship's crew prevented it from capsizing. The damage from the torpedoes was exacerbated by two armor-piercing bomb hits as well as a massive oil fire started following the explosion of USS Arizona(BB-39) which was moored aft. Severely damaged, West Virginia sank upright with little more than its superstructure above the water. In the course of that attack, the battleship's commander, Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, was mortally wounded. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his defense of the ship.
USS West Virginia (BB-48) - Rebirth:
In the weeks after the attack, efforts to salvage West Virginia commenced. After patching the massive holes in the hull, the battleship was refloated on May 17, 1942 and later moved to Drydock Number One. As work commenced 66 bodies were found trapped in the hull. Three located in a storeroom appear to have survived until at least December 23.
After extensive repairs to the hull, West Virginia departed for Puget Sound Navy Yard on May 7, 1943. Arriving, it underwent a modernization program that dramatically altered the battleship's appearance. This saw the construction of a new superstructure which included trunking the two funnels into one, a greatly enhanced anti-aircraft armament, and elimination of the old cage masts. In addition, the hull was widened to 114 feet which precluded it from passing through the Panama Canal. When complete, West Virginia looked more similar to the modernized Tennessee-class battleships than those from its own Colorado-class.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
