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.
Chain of Command LT Battson Jr., Arthur LaGrange (Art), Commanding Officer
Other Memories Hammerhead was brought out of reserve during the Korean War, recommissioned 6 February 1952, and engaged in training duty on the West Coast between San Diego and San Francisco, Calif.
