Humbert Wilham Ziroli

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Rear Admiral (ret.) Humbert William Ziroli (21 September, 1893 – 20 October, 1979) served in the United States Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Massachusetts, Ziroli was appointed to the Naval Academy from this state. He graduated on 3 June, 1916 with the rank of Ensign and appointment to serve on the new destroyer Rowan.[1]

Great War

Due to the wartime expansion of the United States Navy, Ziroli benefited from rapid promotions. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on 1 July 1917.[2] Ziroli was then promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant on 23 January, 1918.[3] Permanent promotion to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) came on 5 December, 1918,[4] with promotion to permanent Lieutenant on 1 July, 1920.[5]

Interwar Years

Starting in 1920 Ziroli spent many years in Submarines, beginning with R-10.[6] Other submarine service included command of S-4 from late 1921[7] through early 1924,[8] a three year tour on the tender Seagull,[9] command of Narwhal from 1935 to 1936,[10] and duty in charge of the Submarine school at the New London, Connecticut Submarine Base from 1936 to 1938.[11] One non-submarine command during this period was the destroyer Simpson from 1933 to 1934.[12]

Ziroli was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 2 June, 1927.[13] He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 3 November, 1936.[14]

World War II

Ziroli was promoted to the temporary rank of Captain on 1 January, 1942, and to the permanent rank of Captain on 30 June, 1942.[15] He commanded the cruiser Brooklyn in the Mediterranean in 1942 and 1943, being decorated for his service. The son of Italian immigrants who spoke fluent Italian, Ziroli's final tour of duty was from 1943 to 1947 as a Navy Liaison officer in Italy,[16] with the rank of Commodore from 1 November, 1943.[17] During this time he received the Cross of the Military Order of Malta in addition to several American decorations.[18]

Ziroli retired in December 1947 on his own application after over 30 years of service and was promoted to Rear Admiral on the retired list (to date from his promotion to Commodore) on the basis of his combat awards.[19]


See Also

Bibliography

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Percy K. Robottom
Captain of U.S.S. S-4
before 1 Jan, 1922[20] – 1924[21][22]
Succeeded by
Charles R. Jeffs
Preceded by
Allen H. Guthrie
Captain of U.S.S. Simpson
Jun, 1933[23] – before 1 Jul, 1935[24]
Succeeded by
?

Footnotes

  1. Register of Officers, 1917. pp. 76-77.
  2. Register of Officers, 1918. p. 74.
  3. Register of Officers, 1919. p. 74.
  4. Register of Officers, 1920. p. 56.
  5. Register of Officers, 1921. p.54.
  6. Register of Officers, 1920. pp. 56-57.
  7. Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 52-53.
  8. Register of Officers, 1925. p. 62.
  9. Register of Officers, 1927. p. 58.
  10. Register of Officers, 1936. pp. 46-47.
  11. Register of Officers, 1938. pp. 42-43.
  12. Register of Officers, 1934. pp. 54-55.
  13. Register of Officers, 1928. pp. 54-55.
  14. Register of Officers, 1938. pp. 42-43.
  15. Register of Officers, 1942. p. 32.
  16. Baltimore Sun 13 October, 1947, p. 13.
  17. Register of Officers, 1944. p. 20..
  18. Kenosha News (Kenosha, WI) 22 December, 1944, p. 2.
  19. Register of Officers, 1949. p. 549.
  20. Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 52-53.
  21. Register of Officers, 1925. pp. 86-87.
  22. Register of Officers, 1924. pp. 62-63.
  23. Register of Officers, 1934. pp. 54-55.
  24. Register of Officers, 1936. pp. 46-47.