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Home Town Centerville, Ala.
Last Address Burial: Quaker Cemetery Camden Kershaw County South Carolina, USA
Date of Passing Nov 05, 1988
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Admiral Cato Douglas Glover, Jr., U.S. Navy
Naval Commander And Early Aviator
Adm. Cato Douglass Glover, Jr., a pioneer naval aviator who commanded the aircraft carrier Enterprise in heavy combat in the Pacific in World War II, died at Navesink, N.J. He was 91 years old and lived in Rumson, N.J.
He advanced to Vice Admiral in December 1955. When Admiral Glover retired in 1957, after 41 years in the service, he was advanced to four-star rank. At the time, he was Acting Commander in Chief of Mediterranean naval forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Admiral Glover was born in Centerville, Ala. and attended the University of Alabama before entering the Naval Academy in 1916 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1920 (graduated in 1919).
During WWI he is listed as: Cato Douglas Glover, Jr., Montgomery, Ala. 815 South Perry Street. Born at Centerville, Ala., September 15, 1897. Son of Cato Douglas and Emma (Seed) Glover. Midshipman, U. S. N., graduated U. S. Naval Academy, 1919. Stationed on U. S. S. Utah, Nevada and Mississippi during 1918, engaged in patrol work in foreign waters.
He retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral.
His long association with naval aviation started with his appointment to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, where he received his wings in 1922. He then joined a squadron of airborne scouts stationed aboard the U.S.S. Wright.
He did post-graduate work in aeronautical engineering at the Naval Academy and, in 1931, was awarded a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He was executive officer of the Saratoga when it provided air cover for the invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942 and was involved in heavy fighting in the Eastern Solomons.
Captain Glover eventually joined the staff of Adm. Chester W. Nimitz as assistant war plans officer. He also was awarded a Bronze Star for distinguished combat service.
Commanded the Enterprise
In July 1944, he took command of the carrier Enterprise and won the Navy Cross and Silver Star Medal, among other citations, in action around the Bonin Islands, the Palaus, the Philippines, Taiwan, Okinawa and Leyte.
Toward the end of the war, he was assigned to planning posts. One of the few high officers favoring unification of the Armed Forces, he served under Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther of the Army, the first director of the Joint Staff.
After the war, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and Vice Admiral while serving in a number of positions in naval air and carrier operations in the United States and in Europe. In the early 1950's, he also was appointed the first Chief of Staff to the newly authorized NATO Command, the Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic.
Other Comments:
Awards and Citations
Navy Cross Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral [then Captain] Cato Douglas Glover, Jr., United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against units of the Japanese Fleet at the start of the Battle for Leyte Gulf, on 24 October 1944. After the Southern Force of the enemy Fleet was reported proceeding through the Sulu Sea, Rear Admiral Glover directed an attack during the morning in which damage was inflicted on the battleships YAMASHIRA and FUBO and the cruiser MOGAMI, and four destroyers were strafed and rocketed. During the afternoon, he launched an attack on the enemy battleship MUSASHI, inflicting heavy damage which, together with the blows struck by accompanying carriers, resulted in the sinking of that warship. By relentlessly carrying the fight to the enemy, Rear Admiral Glover contributed materially to the overwhelming defeat of the hostile Fleet during this decisive engagement. His gallant fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 24969 (December 3, 1945) Action Date: October 20, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Rear Admiral Company: Commanding Officer Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
Silver Star Awarded for actions during World War Two
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Cato Douglas Glover, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against units of the Japanese Fleet during the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 25 October 1944. A gallant and courageous seaman, Captain Glover conducted his battle organization daringly and with determined aggressiveness against a major detachment of hostile warships. By his forceful and inspiring leadership, Captain Glover enabled his valiant command to contribute decisively to the devastating loss inflicted on the Japanese Fleet in four vital carriers sunk and the remaining combatant vessels either damaged or destroyed. His professional skill and personal heroism under the terrific fire of the enemy were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 01054 (January 20, 1945) Action Date: October 25, 1944 Service: Navy Rank: Captain Company: Commanding Officer Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
In addition to the Navy Cross, Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star and Combat "V", and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Admiral Glover has the French-Legion of Honor with the rank of Commander; the Victory Medal with Atlantic Clasp; the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal; The American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp; the Atlantic and Pacific Campaign Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
PRIVATE LAW 8S0 - AUG. 3, 1956 NAVY
Legion of Honor; Rear Admiral Cato D. Glover, Junior, 20393, United States Navy.
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.
Other Memories During WWI he is listed as: Cato Douglas Glover, Jr., Montgomery, Ala. 815 South Perry Street. Born at Centerville, Ala., September 15, 1897. Son of Cato Douglas and Emma (Seed) Glover. Midshipman, U. S. N., graduated U. S. Naval Academy, 1919 (Class of 1920). Stationed on U. S. S. Utah, Nevada and Mississippi during 1918, engaged in patrol work in foreign waters.
