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Home Town born in San Francisco raised in Seattle, Wash.
Last Address Burial: Calvary Cemetery Seattle King County Washington, US
Date of Passing Aug 30, 1984
Location of Interment Calvary Cemetery - Seattle, Washington
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Last Known Activity:
JOSEPH GEORGE POMEROY
Rear Admiral
J. G. Pomeroy was born in San Francisco on February 12, 1889. At a young age he moved with his family to Seattle, Washington. He entered the Navy reserve in 1918 and attended the Naval School of Engineering in Seattle. In 1919 he married Marie Doyle. In 1920 he entered the regular Navy as an ensign. Marie died in 1921, shortly after giving birth to their son, George Edward Pomeroy.
In 1928 he married Josephine Thompson, having met her at a White House State Dinner. They had three children, Mary Elizabeth in 1930, Corbin Thompson in 1932 and David Gilbert in 1936.
Mr. Pomeroy stayed in the navy and worked his way up the ranks. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1939 and Commander in 1939 and Commander in 1940. He took over command of the USS Harry Lee, from Commander Loomis, in March of 1943.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his performance at the invasion of Sicily. On his 56th birthday, 2/12/1945, he was relieved of command of the USS Harry Lee.
His next command was of the USS Dauntless in Washington D.C., the flagship for the Chief of Naval Operations. At that time he held the rank of “Captain under temporary appointment”. He assisted with it’s decommissioning in 1946, and then requested retirement. On January 8th, 1947, he received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy transferring him to the retirement list with the permanent rank of Captain. On 1/22/1947 he received a second letter stating “Having been specially commended by the head of the Executive Office for performance of duty in actual combat with the enemy, you were, when placed on he retired list, advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral”.
After he retired, Mr. Pomeroy moved with his daughter and youngest son David to Redlands, California, where he bought a small orange grove and became a “gentleman farmer”. For many years he was active in civic duties and sat on many boards. He was a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, active in the American Legion and the local camera club. For many years, one of his photographs was displayed in the lobby of the Eastman Kodak Company in NYC. He also worked with a local agronomist on experiments in citrus husbandry. In his retirement Mr. Pomeroy enjoyed traveling, salmon fishing, and was never without his camera, taking photos wherever he went. At his death in 1984, at age 96, Mr. Pomeroy had four children, nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Other Comments:
During World War II USS Harry Lee was first assigned to the European Theater and later to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater participating in the following campaigns:
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
Sicilian occupation
Scoglitti, 10 to 12 July 1943
Gilbert Islands operation
Tarawa, 20 to 21 November 1943
Marshall Islands operation
Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 31 January to 5 February 1944
Hollandia operation, 23 April 1944
Marianas operation
Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 25 July 1944
Luzon operation
Lingayen Gulf landings, 9 to 10 January 1945
Iwo Jima operation
Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 3 February to 6 March 1945
1918-1920, Naval Reserve Training Center (NRTC) Seattle, WA
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Other Memories J. G. Pomeroy entered the Navy reserve in 1918 and attended the Naval School of Engineering in Seattle. In 1920 he entered the regular Navy as an ensign.
