Paul D. Stroop
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral Paul D. Stroop (1904 – 17 May 1995) was an officer of the United States Navy
and a Naval Aviator
. He held numerous high-ranking staff positions in aviation from the 1930s onward, including World War II
service on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, he held various sea commands. From 1959-1962, he oversaw the development of the Navy's aerial weapons, including early guided missiles, as Chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons
. During the later 1960s, he commanded Naval air forces in the Pacific.
, but grew up in Mobile, Alabama
. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1926, then spent the next two years on board the battleship . In 1928, he served as a member of U.S. gymnastic team at the Olympic Games
in Amsterdam
.
, Florida, and in 1929 received his wings as a Naval Aviator
. His first aviation assignment was with Torpedo Squadron 9, based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In 1932 he was transferred to Patrol Squadron 10, also based at Norfolk.
From 1932-1934, he undertook postgraduate work at the Naval Academy. After completing his studies, he returned to Fleet assignments. He served from 1934-1936 with Bombing Squadron 5, aboard the carrier . From 1936-1937, he was Senior Aviator aboard the cruiser . In 1937, Stroop gained his first experience in the Naval Aviation material establishment when he was assigned to the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics
(BuAer). He left BuAer in 1940 to join the staff of Admiral Aubrey Fitch
, commander of Patrol Wing 2, based at Pearl Harbor
, Hawaii. In 1940, Stroop became Flag Officer and Tactical Officer of Carrier Division 1 at San Diego.
He next gained his own command, serving from 1943-1944 as Commanding Officer of the seaplane tender
. Stroop spent the last months of the war in Washington, D.C., serving from 1944-1945 in the Navy Department as Aviation Plans Officer on the Staff of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, the Chief of Naval Operations
and Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet
. In this capacity, Stroop attended the Yalta
, Quebec
, and Potsdam
Conferences, later making a trip around the world to inform commands of outcome of the Yalta Conference.
(CINCPACFLT), at Pearl Harbor, in 1946-1948.
From 1948-1950, Stroop served as Executive Officer at the Navy's General Line School
in Monterey, California
, then again took up his own studies as a student at the National War College
at Washington, D.C., in 1950-1951.
In 1951, Stroop became Commanding Officer of the carrier in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War
. Then, in 1952, he assumed command of the , and was promoted to rear admiral. In 1953, he left the Essex to become Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake
, California
.
From 1953-1955, he was Senior Member of the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Department, Washington. From 1955-1957, he served as Deputy Chief at the Bureau of Ordnance
(BuOrd).
From 1957-1958, he was Commanding Officer of the Taiwan Patrol Force
based at Okinawa, Japan. From 1959-1962 he was Chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons
.
Stroop served from 1962-1965 as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC), and as Commanding Officer, First Fleet, Air PAC, with the rank of vice admiral.
He retired in 1965. After his retirement to the San Diego area, he was a consultant to Ryan Aeronautical and Teledyne Ryan of San Diego until 1992.
Stroop died on at the Coronado Hospital in Coronado, California
, on 17 May 1995, aged 90.
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 a Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
. He held numerous high-ranking staff positions in aviation from the 1930s onward, including World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
service on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, he held various sea commands. From 1959-1962, he oversaw the development of the Navy's aerial weapons, including early guided missiles, as Chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons
Bureau of Naval Weapons
The Bureau of Naval Weapons was part of the United States Navy's material organization between 1959 and 1966, with responsibility for procurement and support of naval aircraft and aerial weapons. The bureau was established August 18, 1959, by an Act of Congress...
. During the later 1960s, he commanded Naval air forces in the Pacific.
Early life and career
Stroop was born in Zanesville, OhioZanesville, Ohio
Zanesville is a city in and the county seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 25,586 at the 2000 census.Zanesville was named after Ebenezer Zane, who had constructed Zane's Trace, a pioneer road through present-day Ohio...
, but grew up in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
. He graduated from 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...
in 1926, then spent the next two years on board the battleship . In 1928, he served as a member of U.S. gymnastic team at the Olympic Games
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
.
Naval aviation assignments
From 1928-1929, Stroop received flight training at Naval Air Station PensacolaNaval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida, and in 1929 received his wings as a Naval Aviator
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
. His first aviation assignment was with Torpedo Squadron 9, based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. In 1932 he was transferred to Patrol Squadron 10, also based at Norfolk.
From 1932-1934, he undertook postgraduate work at the Naval Academy. After completing his studies, he returned to Fleet assignments. He served from 1934-1936 with Bombing Squadron 5, aboard the carrier . From 1936-1937, he was Senior Aviator aboard the cruiser . In 1937, Stroop gained his first experience in the Naval Aviation material establishment when he was assigned to the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
(BuAer). He left BuAer in 1940 to join the staff of Admiral Aubrey Fitch
Aubrey Fitch
Aubrey Wray Fitch was an admiral of the United States Navy during World War II. A naval aviator, he held important aviation-related commands both at sea and on shore from the 1920s onward. He also served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.-Early life and career:Fitch was born...
, commander of Patrol Wing 2, based at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii. In 1940, Stroop became Flag Officer and Tactical Officer of Carrier Division 1 at San Diego.
World War II
After the United States entry into World War II, Stroop was transferred to Pearl Harbor. In 1942, he joined the staff of the Carrier Task Force, aboard at Pearl Harbor. From 1942-1943, he served as Planning Officer to the Senior Naval Commander, Air Force, South Pacific.He next gained his own command, serving from 1943-1944 as Commanding Officer of the seaplane tender
Seaplane tender
A seaplane tender is a ship that provides facilities for operating seaplanes. These ships were the first aircraft carriers and appeared just before the First World War.-History:...
. Stroop spent the last months of the war in Washington, D.C., serving from 1944-1945 in the Navy Department as Aviation Plans Officer on the Staff of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
and Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet
United States Fleet
The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. The abbreviation CINCUS, pronounced "sink us", was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. This title was disposed of and officially replaced by COMINCH in December 1941 . This...
. In this capacity, Stroop attended the Yalta
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference, sometimes called the Crimea Conference and codenamed the Argonaut Conference, held February 4–11, 1945, was the wartime meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, represented by President Franklin D...
, Quebec
Quebec Conference
Quebec Conference refers to one of several different meetings by the same name that were held in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada:*The Quebec Conference, 1864, the second conference to discuss Canada's confederation, which was finally accomplished three years later...
, and Potsdam
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany, from 16 July to 2 August 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
Conferences, later making a trip around the world to inform commands of outcome of the Yalta Conference.
Post-war activities
In 1945, Stroop left the Navy Department to become Commanding Officer of the escort carrier . He served as Fleet Aviation Officer (later Chief of Staff, Operations), in the Fifth Fleet, based at Yokosuka, Japan, from 1945–1946, and then as Aviation Officer (later Assistant Chief of Staff) Operations to the Commander in Chief of the Pacific FleetUnited States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
(CINCPACFLT), at Pearl Harbor, in 1946-1948.
From 1948-1950, Stroop served as Executive Officer at the Navy's General Line School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
in Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
, then again took up his own studies as a student at the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
at Washington, D.C., in 1950-1951.
In 1951, Stroop became Commanding Officer of the carrier in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Then, in 1952, he assumed command of the , and was promoted to rear admiral. In 1953, he left the Essex to become Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- About : is part of under Commander, Navy Installation Command and is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately north of Los Angeles. Occupying three counties – Kern, San Bernardino and Inyo – the installation’s closest neighbors are the cities of Ridgecrest,...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
From 1953-1955, he was Senior Member of the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Department, Washington. From 1955-1957, he served as Deputy Chief at the Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
(BuOrd).
From 1957-1958, he was Commanding Officer of the Taiwan Patrol Force
United States Taiwan Defense Command
The United States Taiwan Defense Command was a sub-unified command of the United States armed forces. It was originally formed as the Formosa Liaison Center . In November 1955, the FLC become the Taiwan Defense Command...
based at Okinawa, Japan. From 1959-1962 he was Chief of the Bureau of Naval Weapons
Bureau of Naval Weapons
The Bureau of Naval Weapons was part of the United States Navy's material organization between 1959 and 1966, with responsibility for procurement and support of naval aircraft and aerial weapons. The bureau was established August 18, 1959, by an Act of Congress...
.
Stroop served from 1962-1965 as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC), and as Commanding Officer, First Fleet, Air PAC, with the rank of vice admiral.
He retired in 1965. After his retirement to the San Diego area, he was a consultant to Ryan Aeronautical and Teledyne Ryan of San Diego until 1992.
Stroop died on at the Coronado Hospital in Coronado, California
Coronado, California
Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive...
, on 17 May 1995, aged 90.
Personal life
Stroop was married to Esther Holscher Stroop from 1926 until her death in 1982. He was survived by his second wife, Kay Roeder Stroop; his two sons, two daughters, three stepdaughters, a stepson, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.External links
- China Lake Military Leadership - from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake