Albert Parker Niblack
Encyclopedia
Albert Parker Niblack was a United States
admiral who served during the First World War. In 1940, the USS Niblack
(DD-424), sponsored by his widow, was named in his honor.
Niblack was born in Vincennes, Indiana
. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy
September 22, 1876; graduated June 10, 1880; and was assigned to Lackawanna
.
During the decades that followed, Niblack served on many ships and held several interesting posts ashore including work with the Smithsonian Institution
, duty in the Bureau of Navigation, and a tour in the Office of Naval Intelligence
. He won his first command, Iroquois, February 10, 1904, and subsequently commanded some of the Navy’s most famous ships including and . He was naval attaché to Argentina
, Brazil
, Chile
, Germany
, and the Netherlands
, and served as a member of the General Board.
When the United States entered World War I
, he took command of Division 1, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
, with Alabama (BB-8)
as flagship April 5, 1917, and was appointed Rear Admiral
August 31. Niblack assumed command of Squadron 2, Patrol Force, October 23, and served in this post through the Armistice. He became Director of Naval Intelligence
March 1, 1919, and Naval Attaché in London August 6, 1920. As Vice Admiral
, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces in European waters January 15, 1921 to June 17, 1922. After commanding the 6th Naval District at Charleston, S.C., Vice Admiral Niblack retired July 25, 1923. He died at Monte Carlo, Monaco August 20, 1929.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
admiral who served during the First World War. In 1940, the USS Niblack
USS Niblack (DD-424)
USS Niblack , a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Albert Parker Niblack. Niblack became the Director of Naval Intelligence 1 March 1919, and Naval Attache in London 6 August 1920. As Vice Admiral, he commanded U.S...
(DD-424), sponsored by his widow, was named in his honor.
Niblack was born in Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
September 22, 1876; graduated June 10, 1880; and was assigned to Lackawanna
USS Lackawanna (1862)
The first USS Lackawanna was a screw sloop-of-war in the Union Navy during the American Civil War.Lackawanna was launched by the New York Navy Yard on 9 August 1862; sponsored by Ms. Imogen Page Cooper; and commissioned on 8 January 1863, Captain John B. Marchand in command...
.
During the decades that followed, Niblack served on many ships and held several interesting posts ashore including work with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, duty in the Bureau of Navigation, and a tour in the Office of Naval Intelligence
Office of Naval Intelligence
The Office of Naval Intelligence was established in the United States Navy in 1882. ONI was established to "seek out and report" on the advancements in other nations' navies. Its headquarters are at the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland...
. He won his first command, Iroquois, February 10, 1904, and subsequently commanded some of the Navy’s most famous ships including and . He was naval attaché to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and served as a member of the General Board.
When the United States entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he took command of Division 1, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
, with Alabama (BB-8)
USS Alabama (BB-8)
USS Alabama was an pre-dreadnought style battleship in the United States Navy. She was the second ship to carry her name.Alabama was laid down on 1 December 1896 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company. She was launched on 18 May 1898...
as flagship April 5, 1917, and was appointed Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
August 31. Niblack assumed command of Squadron 2, Patrol Force, October 23, and served in this post through the Armistice. He became Director of Naval Intelligence
Director of Naval Intelligence
The Director of Naval Intelligence refers to either one of two posts, both related to naval intelligence:* The head of the Naval Intelligence Division of the British Admiralty; or* The head of the Office of Naval Intelligence in the United States....
March 1, 1919, and Naval Attaché in London August 6, 1920. As Vice Admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
, he commanded U.S. Naval Forces in European waters January 15, 1921 to June 17, 1922. After commanding the 6th Naval District at Charleston, S.C., Vice Admiral Niblack retired July 25, 1923. He died at Monte Carlo, Monaco August 20, 1929.