Riley Franklin McConnell
Encyclopedia
Riley Franklin McConnell was a United States Navy
officer who served during World War I
and World War II
. McConnell was awarded the Navy Cross
for service during World War II. A US Navy destroyer escort was named in his honor in 1943.
. McConnell graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on 7 June 1909.
he served as navigator
in USS Arkansas
; later, he had duty as executive officer
in USS Ohio
, USS Relief
, and USS Chicago
; and in 1935 and 1936 he commanded USS Milwaukee
. Following instruction at the Naval War College
, he served on the staff of Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, between 1925 and 1927. Commissioned captain on 1 September 1934, he returned to the Asiatic Fleet and served as Chief of Staff from 30 October 1936 to 25 July 1939.
. On 22 August 1939 McConnell assumed command of the Naval Training Station at San Diego, California
, where he died while on active duty on 12 July 1940.
launched on 28 March 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Grace Otteson McConnell, and commissioned at Brooklyn Navy Yard
28 May 1943, was so named in his honor.
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...
officer who served during 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...
and 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...
. McConnell was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for service during World War II. A US Navy destroyer escort was named in his honor in 1943.
Biography
Riley Franklin McConnell was born 22 July 1884 at Gate City, VirginiaGate City, Virginia
Gate City is a town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,034 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Scott County....
. McConnell graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on 7 June 1909.
U.S. Navy career
For over three decades he carried out a wide variety of assignments. During World War IWorld 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 served as navigator
Navigator
A navigator is the person on board a ship or aircraft responsible for its navigation. The navigator's primary responsibility is to be aware of ship or aircraft position at all times. Responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the Captain or aircraft Commander of estimated timing to...
in USS Arkansas
USS Arkansas (BB-33)
USS Arkansas , a was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 25th state.A dreadnought battleship, Arkansas was laid down on 25 January 1910 at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. She was launched on 14 January 1911 sponsored by Miss Nancy Louise...
; later, he had duty as executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
in USS Ohio
USS Ohio (BB-12)
USS Ohio , a Maine-class battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy named for the 17th state.Ohio was laid down on 22 April 1899 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California. She was launched on 18 May 1901 sponsored by Miss Helen Deschler, a relative of Governor George K. Nash of...
, USS Relief
USS Relief (AH-1)
The sixth USS Relief , the first ship of the U.S. Navy designed and built from the keel up as a hospital ship, was laid down 14 June 1917 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched 23 December 1919; and commissioned 28 December 1920 at Philadelphia, Comdr. Richmond C...
, and USS Chicago
USS Chicago (CA-29)
USS Chicago was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy that served in the Pacific Theater in the early years of World War II. She was the second US Navy ship to be named after the city of Chicago, Illinois...
; and in 1935 and 1936 he commanded USS Milwaukee
USS Milwaukee (CL-5)
thumb|300px|right|Launching of MilwaukeeUSS Milwaukee was an Omaha-class light cruiser in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship named for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. Following instruction at the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
, he served on the staff of Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet, between 1925 and 1927. Commissioned captain on 1 September 1934, he returned to the Asiatic Fleet and served as Chief of Staff from 30 October 1936 to 25 July 1939.
Navy Cross
For distinguished service during this period, he received the Navy CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
. On 22 August 1939 McConnell assumed command of the Naval Training Station at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, where he died while on active duty on 12 July 1940.
Namesake
The USS McConnellUSS McConnell (DE-163)
USS McConnell was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys...
launched on 28 March 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Grace Otteson McConnell, and commissioned at Brooklyn Navy Yard
Brooklyn Navy Yard
The United States Navy Yard, New York–better known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard or the New York Naval Shipyard –was an American shipyard located in Brooklyn, northeast of the Battery on the East River in Wallabout Basin, a semicircular bend of the river across from Corlear's Hook in Manhattan...
28 May 1943, was so named in his honor.