This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Wilkinson, Theodore Stark, Jr., VADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Annapolis, MD
Last Address Norfolk, VA
Date of Passing Feb 21, 1946
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Theodore Wilkinson was only an Ensign when he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions serving aboard the USS Florida (BB-36) in Veracruz, Mexico.
As a Lieutenant, he was recognized for a few of his creations while stationed at the Bureau of Ordnance. He is credited with creating a noxious gas filler for shells that would serve as a smoke screen, the successful design of depth charges, and the creation of the firing mechanism for the Mark VI mine.
VADM Wilkinson died in a ferry accident. He was able to save his wife, but he himself drowned.
Other Comments:
Medal of Honor
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Florida
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 177 (December 4, 1915)
Citation: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Ensign Theodore Stark Wilkinson, Jr., United States Navy;
"for distinguished conduct in battle during the engagements of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914, on board the U.S.S. FLORIDA. Ensign Wilkinson was in both days' fighting at the head of his company and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage."
Luzon Campaign (1944-45)/Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
From Month/Year
January / 1945
To Month/Year
January / 1945
Description The Invasion of Lingayen Gulf was an Allied amphibious operation in the Philippines during World War II. In the early morning of 6 January 1945, a large Allied force commanded by Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf began approaching the shores of Lingayen. U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy warships began bombarding suspected Japanese positions along the coast of Lingayen from their position in Lingayen Gulf for three days. On 9 January, the U.S. 6th Army landed on a 20 mi (32 km) beachhead between the towns of Lingayen and San Fabian.
