This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Robert Cox, YNCS
to remember
Stump, Felix Budwell, ADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia
Last Address Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland
Date of Passing Jun 13, 1972
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Felix Stump graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1917, and was the Captain of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington during World War II, participating in the battles of the Gilbert Islands, Wake Island, the Marshalls and the Marianas. He later commanded a carrier task force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the war, Stump was the Captain of the aircraft carrier Enterprise. From 1952 until his retirement in 1958, he was the commander of the Pacific Fleet.
I created this profile of Admiral Stump as part of my research on the Battle Off Samar. Stump was the Commander of American Task Unit 77.4.2 (Taffy II). The little escort carriers (CVEs) he commanded were an integral part of winning the war in the Pacific.
Other Comments:
The Spruance-class destroyer USS Stump (DD-978)) was named in his honor.
A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, he was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1913; graduated in March 1917.
Served in the gunboat YORKTOWN (PG-1)and cruiser CINCINNATI (C-7) during World War 1 in the Atlantic. After the war he served in the battleship ALABAMA (BB-8).
Attended flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola in 1920-1921 followed by postgraduate instruction in Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Was a Naval Flight Officer in Torpedo Squadron 2 (VT-2) "Doer Birds" of the experimental carrier USS LANGLEY (CV-1).
Commanded Cruiser Scouting Wing in 1928-1929 and served on the Staff of Commander Cruisers, Scouting Fleet in 1930-1931.
Was Commanding Officer of SARATOGA's Scout-Bombing Squadron 2 (VSB-2) in 1936-1937.
Served as Navigator of LEXINGTON (CV-2) and Executive Officer of ENTERPRISE (CV-6).
At the outbreak of World War 2 he was Commanding Officer of LANGLEY (CV-1) in Manila Bay, Philippines. In January 1942 he was transferred to the Staff of the Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet for which he was awarded the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Medal.
In 1942 he served as Air Officer for Commander Western Sea Frontier before taking command of the new carrier LEXINGTON (CV-16). Participated in operations against Kwajalein, Gilbert and Marshall Island Campaign, air strikes on Truk, and the Battle for the Marianas Islands.
Carrier Division 24 of Task Unit 77.4.2 (Taffy II) at Leyte Gulf and Samar embarked in NATOMA BAY (CVE-62) in October 1944. For this action he was awarded the Navy Cross.
Completed the war as Commander Carrier Division 24 embarked in Corregidor (CVE-58) in 1945. For this action he was awarded a second Navy Cross.
Was Chief of Naval Air Technical Training Command from May 1945 to December 1948.
Served successively as Commander in Chief, Pacific and Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet until his retirement, effective August 1, 1958.
After his retirement, he was appointed to the position of Vice Chairman of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Please visit my Battle Off Samar famous Naval officer profiles:
1945-1948, 132X, Naval Air Technical Training Command (Staff), Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (Staff)
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