This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Eugene Claude Ipox, Jr., TM1
to remember
Battson Jr., Arthur LaGrange, CAPT USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Shreveport
Date of Passing Sep 14, 2012
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
Retired U.S. Navy Captain Arthur LaGrange Battson, Jr., 89, died peacefully in his sleep, September 14, 2012. He served his country for 30 years through three wars. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Rosaline ("Roz") Helen (Nelson) Battson, and his three sons: Arthur L. Battson, III (Kathy Samuels) of Goleta; Richard J. Battson (Tracy Rohan) of Sacramento; and Bradford L. Battson (Stacie Ma'a) of Berkeley; also eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Art Battson was born in Shreveport, LA, November 18, 1922, hours after his future wife was born in Letcher, SoDak. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1944) and immediately saw combat action aboard the U.S.S. Gar in the Pacific.
When Art was enjoying refreshments at an officers' club on Saipan in 1945, he caught sight of Army Lieutenant Rosaline Nelson entering the club with fellow Army Corps nurses; Art commented to his friends, "That's the gal I'm gonna marry." They were married in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 30, 1946.
Art served aboard submarines Sterlet, Razorback, Ronquil and Redfish. Lt. Battson became the youngest commanding officer of a U.S. Navy vessel when he took command of the Hammerhead in 1952. He later commanded the Tilefish and Volador.
Stationed in San Diego, Commander Battson served as executive officer of U.S.S. George Clymer and commanded the destroyer, U.S.S. Shields, and the military transport, U.S.S. Bexar. He took over major command of Amphibious Squadron 9 in Coronado and later served as chief of staff of Command Service Group Three in Sasebo, Japan. He ended his Navy career as chief of staff at Pacific Fleet Training School in San Diego. Captain Battson retired from the Navy on July 1, 1973; he and Roz lived in San Diego ever since.
After a short retirement, Art went to work for M. Rosenblatt & Son, a naval architect and marine engineering firm, where he became involved with the "yellow submarine" project, converting an old submarine, U.S.S. Menhaden, for underwater combat testing.
He was an enthusiastic golfer, scoring four holes-in-one, and an excellent bridge player. He and his wife did extensive volunteer work with Lutheran churches in the area and delivered food for Meals on Wheels. Art was a volunteer at the Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, on Tuesday, October 9, 11:00 a.m.
Created/Owned By ET Osentoski, Richard (Ozzie), ET2(SS)3
Last Updated: Sep 14, 2022
Memories For This Unit
Chain of Command LT Battson Jr., Arthur LaGrange (Art), Executive Officer
Other Memories On her return to San Diego, she resumed local operations before beginning a 3-year period of intensive training in offensive and antisubmarine warfare, embodying lessons learned during World War II as well as new postwar developments.
Ronquil entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in May 1952 for decommissioning and "Guppy IIA" modernization: Her hull and sail were streamlined for greater submerged speed. She received new, increased-capacity batteries for underwater endurance, and a snorkel which enabled her to use her diesels at periscope depth. New electronics, including improved sonar and fire-control systems, were installed.