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Contact Info
Home Town Washington DC
Date of Passing Jun 14, 2009
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
JOHN HOWARD MAURER Navy Cross
Rear Admiral, USN (Ret)
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
Flagship of the Commander-in-Chief
In the name of the President of the United States, The Commander-in-Chief
United States Pacific Fleet, takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to:
COMMANDER JOHN H. MAURER
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as net forth in the following CITATION: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to John H. Maurer, Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ATULE (SS-403), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 9 October 1944 to 11 December 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Luzon Strait of the Philippine Islands. With cool aggressiveness, sound judgment and skill, Commander Maurer launched well-planned attacks which resulted in sinking enemy ships totaling over 25,000 tons. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Maurer brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
C. W. NIMITZ
Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy
Other Comments:
RADM John Maurer (“Jason” to many friends), 97, passed away peacefully in Tavares, Florida, on June 14th, 2009.
Admiral Maurer was born in Washington, DC, to Robert A. and Roberta H. Maurer on April 28th, 1912. He attended school in Washington and entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1935. His initial duty upon graduation was aboard the battleship USS Colorado, where he participated in the search for Amelia Earhart.
On December 11th, 1937, Admiral Maurer married the former Billie Byrd in Norfolk. He then attended Submarine School in Connecticut.
After Submarine School and during World War II, he served on USS Pickerel, USS Tarpon, and as Executive Officer of USS Harder. During his tour on Harder, Admiral Maurer was awarded a Silver Star for personal valor. Leaving Harder, Admiral Maurer assumed command of USS Atule, then being built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Admiral Maurer commanded Atule for three years, including four war patrols, and was awarded the Navy Cross and a second Silver Star.
After the War, Admiral Maurer served on various submarine and nuclear weapons billets in Washington, New Mexico and Hawaii. He attended the National War College and served as a Submarine Division Commander, and later as a Submarine Squadron Commander. He commanded the USS Hassayampa (a fleet oiler) and the cruiser USS Saint Paul and was Chief of Staff for both the Pacific and (later) the Atlantic Submarine Forces. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1963.
As a Flag Officer, Admiral Maurer served as the Commander Middle East Force in Bahrain and as the Commander of Pacific Fleet Submarines in Pearl Harbor. After Hawaii, Admiral Maurer was the Chief of Staff for the Strike Command in Tampa. His final assignment was as Commander of Naval Forces in Key West. The Admiral retired in 1974 and made his home in the Florida Keys.
Admiral Maurer’s wife, Billie, passed away in 1992. The Admiral is survived by two sons (John, Jr., and Peter), his daughter (Anne), five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass and burial with military honors was held at Arlington National Cemetery.
