Warder, Frederick Burdett, RADM

Frederick Burdett Warder, 95, a highly decorated Navy rear admiral credited with sinking at least six Japanese ships while commanding the submarine Seawolf during World War II. At a time when the crude submarines were not noted for torpedoes that fired with precision, Warder took charge of the Seawolf in 1939 and quickly became known as an "artist of submarining," Theodore Roscoe wrote in his book, "United States Submarine Operations in World War II." Known for an aggressive battle technique, Warder was reputed to be thoughtful even in the crucible of a battle zone. In one of the maneuvers that would earn him the Navy Cross, the Navy's highest award for valor after the Medal of Honor, he decided not to blow up dock facilities at an inlet near Christmas Island as he waited to target the advancing Japanese navy. Not only would blasting the dock waste a torpedo, he figured, but it also would disrupt native life. The intact dock allowed the submerged Seawolf to remain undetected, and Warder sank two enemy cruisers while barely escaping a rain of depth charges. Roscoe wrote in his 1949 book that Warder was "a humane man who, in the teeth of hell and high water, could find time to think about the natives on a picayune island." Roscoe also wrote that, on other occasions, when Japanese sailors from a sunken ship refused to be taken prisoner aboard the Seawolf, Warder would order life jackets and whiskey thrown to the seamen. He was promoted to rear admiral in 1952 and became assistant chief of naval operations for undersea warfare in 1955. He commanded the Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet in 1957, and retired in 1962 after two years as commandant of the 8th Naval District in New Orleans. Warder was born in Grafton, W.Va., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1925 and from the Submarine School in 1928. He received a master's degree in marine engineering from UC Berkeley in 1934 and graduated from the National War College in 1949. On Tuesday at his home in Ocala, Fla., of congestive heart failure.

Navy Cross
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Frederick Burdett Warder, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 25 February 1942 to 1 April 1942, in enemy controlled waters near the coast of Java. In extremely shallow and narrow waters where very strong currents exist off the coast of Java, Lieutenant Commander Warder attacked and sank a Japanese destroyer and one large transport which were part of a heavy screened force. Off Christmas Islands, Netherlands East Indies, he made repeated attacks on enemy light cruisers which were heavily screened by destroyers, sinking one cruiser and heavily damaging two others, one of which probably sank. All attacks were followed up to short ranges in the face of active enemy opposition, and after each attack his submarine was the target of heavy, prolonged, depth-charge counter-attacks by the enemy. Through his experience and sound judgment Lieutenant Commander Warder brought his ship through unscathed. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Cross
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Frederick Burdett Warder, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS-197), during the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 7 October 1942 to 1 December 1942, in enemy controlled waters. Taking advantage of every favorable attack with alert skill and courageous efficiency, Lieutenant Commander Warder succeeded in sinking a total of 16,8109 tons of enemy shipping and in severely damaging an additional 5,000 tons. By expert maneuvering he brought his boat safely through without material damage and his crew home without injury or loss of life. Lieutenant Commander Warders conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men, and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.