This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Robert McCarthy, OS3
to remember
Radford, Arthur William, ADM USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Chicago, Illinois
Last Address Bethesda, Maryland
Date of Passing Aug 17, 1973
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Wall/Plot Coordinates Plot: Section 30, Lot 435 LH
Promoted to Captain, and named director of aviation training in the Bureau of Aeronautics in December 1941, a post he held until April 1943. During that period, he served in various other staff capacities as well, and received promotion to Rear Admiral.
From July 1943-May 1944, he commanded the Northern Carrier Group, comprising USS Enterprise, USS Belleau Wood, and USS Monterey, of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance's 5th Fleet, taking notable part in campaigns in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. In May 1944, he was named Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for air, and in June-July was acting Deputy. In November 1944, he returned to the Pacific in command of Carrier Div 6, a unit of Admiral Marc Mitscher's Task Force 58, and took part in operations around Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Japanese home islands.
After a brief period as air commander, Pacific Fleet, he was promoted to Vice Admiral in January 1946 (dating from December 1945) and named Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for air. In February 1947, he was given command of the 2nd Task Fleet, Atlantic. He was appointed Vice Chief of Naval Operations in January 1948, and in April 1949, was promoted to full Admiral and became commander of the Pacific Fleet and High Commissioner of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
He was a leading figure in the so-called "admirals revolt" against what they perceived as reduced roles for the Navy, particularly against the Air Force, resulting from the unification of services in the National Military Establishment.
In July 1953, he turned over command of the Pacific Fleet to Admiral Felix Stump, and in August succeeded General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was reappointed to that post in 1955 and held it until his retirement in August 1957.
He served thereafter as a consultant to the Defense Dept while pursuing private business interests. He died in Bethesda, Maryland, on August 17, 1973, and was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
In 1975, the Navy launched the anti-submarine Spruance-class destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford, named in his honor.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 27, 1896, he graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1916.
During World War I, while serving on the USS South Carolina in 6th Battle Squadron, British Grand Fleet, he was advanced to temporary Lieutenant (jg) in the former year and Lieutenant in the latter.
In 1920, he completed aviation training at the Pensacola, Florida, Naval Air Station. During 1921-23, he was attached to the Bureau of Aeronautics. From 1923-1927, he served with aviation units aboard the USS Aroostook, the USS Colorado, and the USS Pennsylvania.
He was at the San Diego Naval Air Station in 1927-29, and briefly in command of the Alaskan aerial survey operation in 1929. During 1929-31 he was aboard the carrier Saratoga, and 1931-32 was an aide and flag secretary to the commander of aircraft, Battle Fleet.
Again with the Bureau of Aeronautics in 1932-35, then briefly on the USS Wright and 1936-37, again on the USS Saratoga, and commanded the Naval Air Station in Seattle, Washington, 1937-40; he was Executive Officer of the carrier USS Yorktown in 1940-41; commanded the Naval Air Station in Trinidad for a few months in 1941.
