Thomas Leigh Gatch
Encyclopedia
Thomas Leigh Gatch was an American
naval officer and attorney in the 20th century. A native of Oregon, and grandson of educator Thomas Milton Gatch, he served in the United States Navy
as a ship commander during World War II
and Judge Advocate General of the Navy
from 1943 to 1945. His last command was as commander of the Atlantic Fleet
’s service force.
to Claud Gatch and the former Helen Plummer. His grandfather previously was the president of Willamette University
in Salem, and both his father and grandfather served as mayor of the town. Thomas began his college career at Oregon Agricultural College
where his grandfather served as president from 1897 to 1907. However, in 1912, Thomas L. graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in Annapolis, Maryland
.
(JAG) in 1919 in Washington, D.C.
. In DC, he studied law at George Washington University Law School where in 1922 he earned his law degree. Gatch then went back to active duty aboard a ship, before teaching for three years at the Naval Academy.
In 1935, he returned to the JAG’s headquarters where he remained through 1938. Gatch then returned to sea until 1940. That year he began serving as Assistant Judge Advocate General, keeping that post until February 1942 after World War II
began. Gatch then became commander of the USS South Dakota
, a South Dakota class battleship
. Serving in the South Pacific until December 1942, he distinguished himself in that role in the Pacific Theater of Operations
in battles such as the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
during the Guadalcanal campaign
. He received two Navy Cross
es for his service.
In 1943 Gatch was invalided to shore duty after being wounded in the South Pacific. Gatch became the 16th Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy. He remained in that position until December 3, 1945, when he became the commander of the service force of the Atlantic Fleet. Rear Admiral Thomas Leigh Gatch retired from the Navy in 1947.
. Thomas had one sibling, Orytha. He would have three children with his wife; Thomas Leigh Gatch, Jr., Nancy, and Eleanor. His son Thomas, Jr. would attend the United States Army
’s service academy at West Point and disappeared in 1974, whilst attempting the first ever crossing of the Atlantic by balloon. (See Light Heart (balloon)
) After retiring from the Navy Gatch returned to his native Oregon. Thomas L. Gatch died on December 16, 1953, in San Diego, California
, and is buried there at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
naval officer and attorney in the 20th century. A native of Oregon, and grandson of educator Thomas Milton Gatch, he served 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...
as a ship commander during 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...
and Judge Advocate General of the Navy
Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving...
from 1943 to 1945. His last command was as commander of the Atlantic Fleet
United States Fleet Forces Command
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...
’s service force.
Early life
Thomas L. Gatch was born on August 9, 1891, in Salem, OregonSalem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
to Claud Gatch and the former Helen Plummer. His grandfather previously was the president of Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem, and both his father and grandfather served as mayor of the town. Thomas began his college career at Oregon Agricultural College
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
where his grandfather served as president from 1897 to 1907. However, in 1912, Thomas L. 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 Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
.
Naval career
After college, Thomas spent five years at sea before joining the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s OfficeJudge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy
The Judge Advocate General's Corps also known as the "JAG Corps" or "JAG" is the legal arm of the United States Navy. Today, the corps consists of a worldwide organization of more than 730 Judge Advocates, 30 limited duty officers , 500 enlisted members and nearly 275 civilian personnel, serving...
(JAG) in 1919 in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. In DC, he studied law at George Washington University Law School where in 1922 he earned his law degree. Gatch then went back to active duty aboard a ship, before teaching for three years at the Naval Academy.
In 1935, he returned to the JAG’s headquarters where he remained through 1938. Gatch then returned to sea until 1940. That year he began serving as Assistant Judge Advocate General, keeping that post until February 1942 after 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...
began. Gatch then became commander of the USS South Dakota
USS South Dakota (BB-57)
USS South Dakota was a battleship in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1947. The lead ship of her class, South Dakota was the third ship of the US Navy to be named in honor of the 40th state. During World War II, she first served in a fifteen-month tour in the Pacific theater, where she saw...
, a South Dakota class battleship
South Dakota class battleship (1939)
The South Dakota-class was a group of four fast battleships built by the United States Navy. They were the second class of battleships to be named after the 40th State; the first class was designed in the 1920s and canceled under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty. The class comprised four...
. Serving in the South Pacific until December 1942, he distinguished himself in that role in the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
in battles such as the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the , was the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the fourth major naval engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial...
during the Guadalcanal campaign
Guadalcanal campaign
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
. He received two 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...
es for his service.
In 1943 Gatch was invalided to shore duty after being wounded in the South Pacific. Gatch became the 16th Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy. He remained in that position until December 3, 1945, when he became the commander of the service force of the Atlantic Fleet. Rear Admiral Thomas Leigh Gatch retired from the Navy in 1947.
Later life and family
From 1945 to 1947 he served as a trustee at George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. Thomas had one sibling, Orytha. He would have three children with his wife; Thomas Leigh Gatch, Jr., Nancy, and Eleanor. His son Thomas, Jr. would attend the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
’s service academy at West Point and disappeared in 1974, whilst attempting the first ever crossing of the Atlantic by balloon. (See Light Heart (balloon)
Light Heart (balloon)
Light Heart was a balloon constructed by Colonel Thomas Leigh Gatch, Jr., USAR for an unsuccessful attempt at the first crossing of the Atlantic by balloon....
) After retiring from the Navy Gatch returned to his native Oregon. Thomas L. Gatch died on December 16, 1953, in 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...
, and is buried there at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is situated in the city of San Diego, California, on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. The cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city...
.