John Strong Abbott
Captain John Strong Abbott (19 June, 1882 – 16 March, 1966) served in the United States Navy in World War I. His father by the same name was also in the Navy, reaching the rank of Lieutenant before his death in 1899.
Contents
Life & Career
Abbott was born in California[1] but was appointed to the Naval Academy from Wisconsin.[2]
After his graduation with the Class of 1903, Abbott served in the gunboat Petrel,[3] before being promoted to the rank of Ensign on 3 February, 1905.[4] Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant followed on 3 February, 1908 while serving aboard the protected cruiser Des Moines.[5]
Abbott sailed with the Great White Fleet.[6]
Following service in the auxiliary cruiser Dixie, Abbott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 29 August, 1916 while serving at the United States Naval Academy.[7].
Great War
Abbott served aboard battleship Delaware during the war, being temporarily promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1918.[8]
Interwar Period
Abbott was promoted to the permanent rank of Commander on 8 June 1920.[9]
He became Commanding Officer of destroyer Toucey on 24 July, 1921 and assumed command of destroyer Peary in 1922, holding this command until circa August 1924.
Abbott was promoted to the rank of Captain on 4 June, 1926.[10]
From 1926 to 1929 he served as a member of the US Naval Mission to Peru.[11] Years later, he received the Order of the Sun of Peru, the nation's highest honour, from the Peruvian government for his role in training their Navy.[12][13]
During the 1930's, Abbott held command of two ships, the repair ship Medusa,[14] and the battleship New York.[15] His influence in practical seawork was such that a U.S.N. manual on destroyer handling promulgated in the 1930’s was dedicated to him.[16]
Following a tour of duty as Captain of the Yard at the Charleston Navy Yard, with concurrent duty as Chief of Staff to the Commandant of the 6th, 7th, and 8th Navy Districts,[17] Abbott retired due to disability received in the line of service on 1 July, 1939.[18]
See Also
Bibliography
Service Records
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Reuben B. Coffey |
Captain of U.S.S. Toucey 24 Jun, 1921[19] – after 1 Jan, 1922 |
Succeeded by Clarence Gulbranson |
| Preceded by James B. Will |
Captain of U.S.S. Peary after 1 Jan, 1922[20] – c. Aug, 1924[21] |
Succeeded by Roscoe F. Dillen |
| Preceded by Edward S. Jackson |
Captain of U.S.S. New York 14 Jun, 1934[22] – Dec, 1935[23] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by William Ancrum |
Captain, Navy Yard, Charleston 28 Dec, 1935[24] – after 7 Mar, 1939[25] |
Succeeded by ? |
Footnotes
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1904. p.48.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1903. p.90.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1904. p.48.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1906. p.41.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1909. p.37.
- ↑ Email from his grandson Arthur Young 20240324.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1917. p.27.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1918. p.26.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. p.20.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1928. p.17.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1929. p.16.
- ↑ Charlotte Observer 13 May, 1944 p. 2
- ↑ Email from his grandson Arthur Young 20240321, who possesses the medal.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1930. pp.16-17.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1935. pp.20-21.
- ↑ Email from his grandson Arthur Young 20240324.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. pp18-19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1939. p.560.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1922. pp. 20-21.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1923. p.21.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1925. p.22.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1935. pp.20-21.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. p.19.
- ↑ Register of Officers, 1936. pp. 18-19.
- ↑ Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) 7 March 1939 p. 2.
