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Home Town Williamsburg, Ky
Date of Passing Sep 12, 1950
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Vice Admiral Charles Adams Blakely, USN
Charles Adams Blakely, the great grandnephew of Capt. Johnston Blakeley, was born on 1 October 1879 at Williamsburg, Ky. He graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1897 and served with the 2d Kentucky Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. Appointed a naval cadet in September 1899, he graduated from the Naval Academy on 2 February 1903 and, after serving two years at sea as a passed naval cadet, was commissioned ensign in 1905. Between 1903 and 1907, he served successively in Santee, Baltimore (C-3), Cleveland (C-19), Denver (C-14), and Mayflower. Command of Thornton (Torpedo Boat No. 33) and MacDonough (Torpedo-boat Destroyer No. 9) followed. In December 1910, he became officer in charge of the machinist school at the Charleston Navy Yard. Between June 1911 and October 1914, he commanded the Reserve Torpedo Flotillas and the protected cruiser Atlanta. He then served ashore at the New York Navy Yard, before assuming command of Rowan (DD 64) During World War I, Blakely commanded O'Brien (DD-51), serving in the waters surrounding the British Isles.
At war's end, he served in the Office of the CNO. In December 1920, he became the engineering officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet. Concluding that assignment in October 1922, he moved to inspector of ordnance at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Lake Denmark, NJ. In 1925, he became executive officer of Texas (BB 35). Leaving her in August 1926, Blakely became CO of the Destroyer Squadron, Asiatic Fleet. In July 1928, he returned to the United States to take up duty in the Bureau of Navigation as president of the Naval Reserve Inspection Board. Blakely remained at the BuNav for more than three years. Relieved in December 1931, in January 1932 he reported as a student to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. Upon completion of the observer course in May 1932, he was designated an aviation observer. He immediately assumed command of Lexington (CV 2). In June 1934, he proceeded to Newport, R.I. and spent a year completing the senior course at the Naval War College. He returned to Pensacola in June 1935 to take additional flight training. On 10 March 1936, at the age of 54, he received his designation as a naval aviator. Two months later, he became CO of the Pensacola facility. Radm. Blakely was detached from duty at Pensacola in the summer of 1937. In August of that year, he became Commander, Carrier Division (CarDiv) 2, flying his flag in Yorktown (CV 5). In January 1938, he fleeted up to Commander Aircraft, Scouting Force, a post he held for the next 18 months. In June 1939, Blakely moved back to the west coast assuming concurrent command of Aircraft, Battle Force, and of CarDiv 2 with the rank of vice admiral. Once again he wore his flag in Yorktown. Blakely's last active assignment was Commandant, 11th Naval District, with additional duty as the Commanding Officer, Naval Operating Base, San Diego. Ill health brought his relief from active duty on 9 December 1941 and, on 1 October 1942, his transfer to the retired list.
USS Blakely (DE 1072) (1970-1991) was the first ship to be named in honor of both (Blakeley) Blakely's.
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Awards and Citations
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for actions during the World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Charles A. Blakely, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. O'BRIEN engaged in the important, exacting, and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters, and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity; and especially for a successful attack upon an enemy submarine on 16 June 1917.
