William B. Caperton
Encyclopedia
William Banks Caperton was an admiral of the United States Navy
.
, Tennessee
. Caperton graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1875. He held major posts ashore and afloat, chief of which were commanding the naval forces intervening in Haiti (1915–16) and Santo Domingo
(1916), and Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, from July 28, 1916 to April 30, 1919. He served actively until November 12, 1921. and died in Newport, Rhode Island
, December 12, 1941.
In 1943, the destroyer
USS Caperton
(DD-650) was named in his honor.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy in September 1875, Caperton served at sea for five years, with duty aboard USS Powhatan
, USS Constellation
, and USS Tennessee
. He had three years' service with the Coast and Geodetic Survey, after which he joined Ossipee for service on the Asiatic Station. In April 1887, he assumed duty as Inspector of Steel at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, and in November of the following year transferred to Washington, D.C.
for duty as Secretary of the Steel Inspection Board. He next had brief duty in the summer of 1891 as Recorder of the Examining Board at Norfolk, Virginia.
Caperton had three years' consecutive sea duty aboard USS Miantonomoh (BM-5)
, USS Vesuvius
, and USS Essex
. On 21 February 1895, he reported to the Office of Naval Intelligence
, Navy Department, Washington, DC, and following three months' duty in that office, he had instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, completing the course there on 15 October 1896. Next followed consecutive service aboard USS Brooklyn and during the Spanish-American War
period aboard USS Marietta, with service as executive officer of that vessel after the peace protocol was signed on 12 August 1898, and until 16 October 1899.
Returning to the United States, Admiral Caperton reported for duty as Inspector of Ordinance at the Navy Yard
, Washington, DC, to serve from December 1899 until July 1901, when he was ordered to duty in connection with the fitting out of USS Prairie. He served as her executive officer from her commissioning, 8 August 1901, until May 1904, when he was again ordered to the Naval War College
, Newport, Rhode Island. Completing the course of instruction in October of that year, he became Inspector of the 15th Light House District at St. Louis, Missouri, and served in that capacity until 15 April 1907.
He assumed command of USS Denver
on 20 April 1907 and transferred his command to USS Maine (BB-10)
on 31 July 1908. Detached from that command when the Maine was decommissioned on 31 August 1909, he proceeded to Washington, DC. He thereafter became Secretary of the Light House Board, Department of Commerce and Labor, on 11 October 1909, and served in that assignment until 30 June 1910, when he was ordered to duty in attendance upon the summer conference of officers at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Upon completion of the conference he returned to Washington, DC, where he was assigned duty as member of the Naval Examining and Naval Retiring Boards.
Following duty as Commandant of the Naval Station, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, from May 1912 until October 1913, during which period he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, Admiral Caperton became Commander in Chief, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, USS Alabama
, flagship
, and after a year's service in that command, he assumed command in November 1914 of Cruiser Squadron, Atlantic Fleet, USS Washington, flagship. During the period of this assignment, and transferring his flag to Tennessee and later to Dolphin, he commanded the Naval Forces that intervened at Haiti
in 1915-1916; was Commander Naval Forces, Vera Cruz, in 1915; and commanded Naval Forces intervening and suppressing the Santo Domingo Revolution in 1916.
Relieved of command of Cruiser Force, Atlantic Fleet, he returned to the United States, reporting to Key West, Florida. Upon designation as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, by the President of the United States on 22 July 1916, he proceeded to San Diego, California, to assume his new duties in the rank of Admiral, and hoisted his flag in USS Pittsburgh
. He was in charge of the patrol of the East Coast of South America which cleared southern waters of German raiders during World War I and he greatly aided in the development of goodwill between the United States and her Allies. For his services as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War I, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
with citation as follows:
On November 1, 1918, ten days before the signing of the Armistice which officially closed hostilities between Germany and the United States, Admiral Caperton was designated by the President of the United States as Special Representative with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to attend the ceremonies at Rio de Janeiro on 15 November 1918, incident to the inauguration of His Excellency, Dr. Francisco de Paulo Rodriquez Alves, as President of the Republic of Brazil. He was also Special Naval Delegate at the inauguration of Dr. Brun as President of Uruguay in 1919. Detached from command of the Pacific Fleet in April 1919, he reported for duty in the Office of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC.
On 12 April 1919, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (then Acting SecNav Secretary of the Navy) authorized the following:
Admiral Caperton was transferred to the Retired List in the rank of Rear Admiral on 30 June 1919, but continued on active duty in connection with the official reception of the President Elect of Brazil, and as Naval Aide to Dr. Pessoa during his visit to the United States, and return. Upon completion of this temporary duty, he was ordered for further temporary duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and later as witness before Senate Committee on Occupation and Administration of Territories of Haitian Republic by American Forces. Relieved of all active duty, he proceeded home in November 1921. He was commissioned Admiral on the Retired List of the Navy from 21 June 1930 (Act of June 21, 1930).
In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal, Admiral Caperton had the Spanish Campaign Medal
(1898); the Cuba Pacification Medal; the Mexican Service Medal (USS Washington, 1915); the Dominican Campaign Medal (USS Dolphin, 1916); and the World War I Victory Medal, Patrol Clasp, (USS Pittsburgh), for World War I Service. He also had the following foreign decorations: Order of the Bust of Bolivar, Third Class, by the Government of Venezuela; and the Grand Official da Ordem do Cruizeiro do Sul, by the Brazilian Government.
Admiral Caperton died on 21 December 1941, at the Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island.
Admiral Caperton was a founder and honorary member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars
of the United States (European Commandry, Paris, 1927); an honorary life member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (Commanding General 1914-1917); and a member of the Military Order of the World Wars Retired Officers Association.
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...
.
Biography
He was born on June 30, 1855 in Spring HillSpring Hill, Tennessee
Spring Hill is a city in Maury and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, located approximately south of Nashville. The population was 7,715 at the 2000 census...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. Caperton 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 1875. He held major posts ashore and afloat, chief of which were commanding the naval forces intervening in Haiti (1915–16) and Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
(1916), and Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, from July 28, 1916 to April 30, 1919. He served actively until November 12, 1921. and died in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, December 12, 1941.
In 1943, the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Caperton
USS Caperton (DD-650)
USS Caperton was a of the United States Navy, named for Admiral William B. Caperton .Caperton was launched 22 May 1943 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Miss M. Caperton; and commissioned 30 July 1943, Commander W. J...
(DD-650) was named in his honor.
Following graduation from the Naval Academy in September 1875, Caperton served at sea for five years, with duty aboard USS Powhatan
USS Powhatan
Six ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Powhatan or USNS Powhatan, named in honor of Powhatan , an Indian chief in tidewater Virginia; the father of Pocahontas....
, USS Constellation
USS Constellation
Four ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Constellation, in honor, according to the US Congress, of the "new constellation of stars" on the flag of the United States....
, and USS Tennessee
USS Tennessee
Six ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Tennessee in honor of the 16th state.*The first USS Tennessee was a paddlewheel steamer captured from the Confederacy at New Orleans on April 2, 1862....
. He had three years' service with the Coast and Geodetic Survey, after which he joined Ossipee for service on the Asiatic Station. In April 1887, he assumed duty as Inspector of Steel at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, and in November of the following year transferred to 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....
for duty as Secretary of the Steel Inspection Board. He next had brief duty in the summer of 1891 as Recorder of the Examining Board at Norfolk, Virginia.
Caperton had three years' consecutive sea duty aboard USS Miantonomoh (BM-5)
USS Miantonomoh (BM-5)
The second USS Miantonomoh, an iron‑hulled, twin‑screw, double‑turreted monitor of the , was laid down by John Roach & Son of Chester, Pennsylvania in 1874; launched 5 December 1876; and commissioned in an uncompleted condition on 6 October 1882, Commander Francis J...
, USS Vesuvius
USS Vesuvius (1888)
USS Vesuvius, the third ship of the United States Navy named for the Italian volcano, was a unique vessel in the Navy inventory which marked a departure from more conventional forms of main battery armament...
, and USS Essex
USS Essex (1876)
|-External links:*...
. On 21 February 1895, he reported to 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...
, Navy Department, Washington, DC, and following three months' duty in that office, he had instruction at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, completing the course there on 15 October 1896. Next followed consecutive service aboard USS Brooklyn and during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
period aboard USS Marietta, with service as executive officer of that vessel after the peace protocol was signed on 12 August 1898, and until 16 October 1899.
Returning to the United States, Admiral Caperton reported for duty as Inspector of Ordinance at the Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
, Washington, DC, to serve from December 1899 until July 1901, when he was ordered to duty in connection with the fitting out of USS Prairie. He served as her executive officer from her commissioning, 8 August 1901, until May 1904, when he was again ordered to 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...
, Newport, Rhode Island. Completing the course of instruction in October of that year, he became Inspector of the 15th Light House District at St. Louis, Missouri, and served in that capacity until 15 April 1907.
He assumed command of USS Denver
USS Denver (CL-16)
USS Denver was the lead ship of her class of protected cruisers in the United States Navy. She was the first Navy ship named for the city of Denver, the capital of Colorado.-History:...
on 20 April 1907 and transferred his command to USS Maine (BB-10)
USS Maine (BB-10)
USS Maine , the lead ship of her class of battleships, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the 23rd state....
on 31 July 1908. Detached from that command when the Maine was decommissioned on 31 August 1909, he proceeded to Washington, DC. He thereafter became Secretary of the Light House Board, Department of Commerce and Labor, on 11 October 1909, and served in that assignment until 30 June 1910, when he was ordered to duty in attendance upon the summer conference of officers at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Upon completion of the conference he returned to Washington, DC, where he was assigned duty as member of the Naval Examining and Naval Retiring Boards.
Following duty as Commandant of the Naval Station, Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, from May 1912 until October 1913, during which period he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, Admiral Caperton became Commander in Chief, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, USS Alabama
USS Alabama
At least seven United States Navy ships have been named Alabama, after the southern state of Alabama., a 74-gun ship of the line, laid down in 1819, though never completed as such...
, flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
, and after a year's service in that command, he assumed command in November 1914 of Cruiser Squadron, Atlantic Fleet, USS Washington, flagship. During the period of this assignment, and transferring his flag to Tennessee and later to Dolphin, he commanded the Naval Forces that intervened at Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
in 1915-1916; was Commander Naval Forces, Vera Cruz, in 1915; and commanded Naval Forces intervening and suppressing the Santo Domingo Revolution in 1916.
Relieved of command of Cruiser Force, Atlantic Fleet, he returned to the United States, reporting to Key West, Florida. Upon designation as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, by the President of the United States on 22 July 1916, he proceeded to San Diego, California, to assume his new duties in the rank of Admiral, and hoisted his flag in USS Pittsburgh
USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4)
The second USS Pennsylvania , also referred to "Armored Cruiser No. 4", and later renamed Pittsburgh and numbered CA-4, was a United States Navy armored cruiser, the lead ship of her class....
. He was in charge of the patrol of the East Coast of South America which cleared southern waters of German raiders during World War I and he greatly aided in the development of goodwill between the United States and her Allies. For his services as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during World War I, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
with citation as follows:
For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet on the East Coast of South America in establishing friendly diplomatic relations with the countries of South America.
On November 1, 1918, ten days before the signing of the Armistice which officially closed hostilities between Germany and the United States, Admiral Caperton was designated by the President of the United States as Special Representative with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to attend the ceremonies at Rio de Janeiro on 15 November 1918, incident to the inauguration of His Excellency, Dr. Francisco de Paulo Rodriquez Alves, as President of the Republic of Brazil. He was also Special Naval Delegate at the inauguration of Dr. Brun as President of Uruguay in 1919. Detached from command of the Pacific Fleet in April 1919, he reported for duty in the Office of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC.
On 12 April 1919, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (then Acting SecNav Secretary of the Navy) authorized the following:
In view of the splendid work accomplished by Admiral Caperton, he will be released from present duty on April 30th, and, pending his retirement June 30th, he will be detailed to prepare a complete and detailed memorandum of his duty since being ordered to sea duty in 1915 with special reference to what he has been connected with since war was declared. This memorandum will be turned over to the historical section of the Navy. Admiral Caperton's duty since war was declared, above referred to, has been the commanding officer of the Pacific Fleet which, in conjunction with British and French fleets, cleared the Southern Atlantic of German raiders and patrolled the east coast of South America. On his flagship, USS Pittsburgh, Admiral Caperton made courtesy visits to South American republics during the war and since the Armistice was signed. His visits were of inestimable value, as they strengthened the bonds of friendship between South American republics and the United States and promoted solidarity of relations between these countries and the Allies. Admiral Caperton was put in command of the cruiser force of the Atlantic Fleet on November 21, 1914. He has been in command of the Pacific Fleet since May 22, 1917, on which date original orders of June 7th, 1916, were amended.
Admiral Caperton was transferred to the Retired List in the rank of Rear Admiral on 30 June 1919, but continued on active duty in connection with the official reception of the President Elect of Brazil, and as Naval Aide to Dr. Pessoa during his visit to the United States, and return. Upon completion of this temporary duty, he was ordered for further temporary duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and later as witness before Senate Committee on Occupation and Administration of Territories of Haitian Republic by American Forces. Relieved of all active duty, he proceeded home in November 1921. He was commissioned Admiral on the Retired List of the Navy from 21 June 1930 (Act of June 21, 1930).
In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal, Admiral Caperton had the Spanish Campaign Medal
Spanish Campaign Medal
The Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United...
(1898); the Cuba Pacification Medal; the Mexican Service Medal (USS Washington, 1915); the Dominican Campaign Medal (USS Dolphin, 1916); and the World War I Victory Medal, Patrol Clasp, (USS Pittsburgh), for World War I Service. He also had the following foreign decorations: Order of the Bust of Bolivar, Third Class, by the Government of Venezuela; and the Grand Official da Ordem do Cruizeiro do Sul, by the Brazilian Government.
Admiral Caperton died on 21 December 1941, at the Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island.
Admiral Caperton was a founder and honorary member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars
Military Order of Foreign Wars
The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States is one of the oldest veterans' and hereditary associations in the nation with a membership that includes officers and their hereditary descendants from all of the Armed Services...
of the United States (European Commandry, Paris, 1927); an honorary life member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (Commanding General 1914-1917); and a member of the Military Order of the World Wars Retired Officers Association.
Dates of rank
- MidshipmanMidshipmanA midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
- September 17, 1875 - EnsignEnsignAn ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
- August 3, 1877 - Lieutenant (junior grade) - October 13, 1883
- LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
- October 24, 1889 - Lieutenant-Commander - unknown
- CommanderCommanderCommander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
- unknown - Captain - unknown
- Rear AdmiralRear 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 :...
- February 14, 1913 - AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
- July 28, 1916