Leroy J. Alexanderson
Encyclopedia
Leroy J. Alexanderson was the last captain of the SS United States
, the largest ocean liner
ever built in the United States
and the fastest ocean liner in history. Alexanderson also served as Commodore
of the United States Lines
fleet.
, New York
, Alexanderson graduated from Brooklyn's James Madison High School in 1928. He attended the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, then known as the New York Merchant Marine Academy. He graduated in 1930, commissioned in both the Naval Reserve
and the Maritime Service
.
In 1938 he volunteered for active duty in the United States Navy
, and was assigned to the USS Melville
. He captained the USS Livingston
before taking command of the newly commissioned USS Gage
, an attack transport. Alexanderson commanded the Gage at Okinawa, landing elements of the 6th Marine Division.
Following decommissioning of the Gage in 1947, Alexanderson returned to Merchant Marine Service with the United States Lines. He served on several ships before being master of the SS America
in 1955, and the SS United States
in 1964. He was appointed Commodore of the United States Lines Fleet in 1966, meaning he was in overall command of the line's 52 ships. He also continued to serve as master
of the SS United States
until her retirement in 1969. Alexanderson retired in 1976. At the time he was the only reserve officer of flag rank within the United States Merchant Marine
, having been promoted to Rear Admiral in 1959.
Alexanderson died February 28, 2004, at the age of 93. He was buried in the uniform he wore as Commodore of United States Lines and Captain of the United States. His other uniforms were donated to the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler.
SS United States
SS United States is a luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for the United States Lines designed to capture the trans-Atlantic speed record....
, the largest ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
ever built in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the fastest ocean liner in history. Alexanderson also served as Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
of the United States Lines
United States Lines
United States Lines was a transatlantic shipping company that operated cargo services from 1921 to 1989, and ocean liners until 1969—most famously the SS United States.-1920s:...
fleet.
Biography
Born June 27, 1910, to Swedish immigrant parents in Sheepshead Bay, BrooklynSheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Sheepshead Bay is a bay separating the mainland of Brooklyn, New York City from the eastern portion of Coney Island, the latter originally a barrier island but now effectively an extension of the mainland with peninsulas both east and west...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Alexanderson graduated from Brooklyn's James Madison High School in 1928. He attended the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, then known as the New York Merchant Marine Academy. He graduated in 1930, commissioned in both the Naval Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
and the Maritime Service
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
.
In 1938 he volunteered for active duty in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, and was assigned to the USS Melville
USS Melville
Two ships of the United States Navy have borne the name Melville, in honor of George W. Melville, an engineer and arctic explorer., was a destroyer tender, launched in 1913 and struck in 1947...
. He captained the USS Livingston
USS Livingston
USS Livingston may refer to: was a of the U.S. Navy; commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1946* The Excelsior-class starship, USS Livingston is a fictional starship in the Star Trek universe....
before taking command of the newly commissioned USS Gage
USS Gage (APA-168)
USS Gage is a Haskell-class attack transport late of the US Navy. She was built and used during World War II. She was of the VC2-S-AP5 Victory ship design type. Gage is named after Gage County, Nebraska...
, an attack transport. Alexanderson commanded the Gage at Okinawa, landing elements of the 6th Marine Division.
Following decommissioning of the Gage in 1947, Alexanderson returned to Merchant Marine Service with the United States Lines. He served on several ships before being master of the SS America
SS America
SS America may refer to:, a passenger steamer for North German Lloyd, 1863–1894, a passenger steamer for Pacific Mail Steamship Company, a passenger and package steamer serving Duluth, Minnesota, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Isle Royale., originally the Hamburg America Line liner Amerika seized by the...
in 1955, and the SS United States
SS United States
SS United States is a luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for the United States Lines designed to capture the trans-Atlantic speed record....
in 1964. He was appointed Commodore of the United States Lines Fleet in 1966, meaning he was in overall command of the line's 52 ships. He also continued to serve as master
Master mariner
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms,...
of the SS United States
SS United States
SS United States is a luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for the United States Lines designed to capture the trans-Atlantic speed record....
until her retirement in 1969. Alexanderson retired in 1976. At the time he was the only reserve officer of flag rank within the United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
, having been promoted to Rear Admiral in 1959.
Alexanderson died February 28, 2004, at the age of 93. He was buried in the uniform he wore as Commodore of United States Lines and Captain of the United States. His other uniforms were donated to the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler.