William A Moffett Sr
On the 31st of October 1869, William was born in Charleston, South Carolina, where he also received an appointment to the US Naval Academy. He entered the academy on the 6th of September 1886, and graduated in June of 1890, followed by the required two years of service at sea. After completing this required duty, William was commissioned as an Ensign and four years later he attended the Naval War College before serving as the Watch and Division Officer on board the USS Mohican and USS Charleston during the Spanish-American War. Following the war, he was promoted to Lieutenant and on the 22nd of April 1904, William assumed command of the Naval Station at Guantanamo, Cuba, and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander the following year. He had assignments at the Bureau of Equipment until 1908 and in 1912, William reported to the William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to assist with the outfitting of the USS Arkansas. Once the Arkansas was complete and commissioned, William became her Executive Officer at the rank of Commander and stayed on that battleship until the 24th of October 1913. Five days later, William took command of the USS Chester and six months later, his actions while in command of the ship would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Comdr. Moffett brought his ship into the inner harbor during the nights of the 21st and 22d without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in a position on the morning of the 22d to use his guns at a critical time with telling effect. His skill in mooring his ship at night was especially noticeable. He placed her nearest to the enemy and did most of the firing and received most of the hits.
After the conflict, William assumed the role of Commandant of the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, and was promoted to Captain in August of 1916. He stayed at the Training Station throughout World War 1 and helped to expand it, making it the largest recruit training depot in the country. For this and other accomplishments during the War, he received the Distinguished Service Medal and became the commanding officer of the USS Mississippi in December of 1918. In March of 1921, William became the Director of Naval Aviation and the first Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, with a promotion to Rear Admiral on the 25th of July 1921. He was recognized as being more experienced in all types of planes than any other Admiral in the world. He was married to Jeanette in 1902 and they had six children, three sons and three daughters. William Adger Moffett Sr died on the 4th of April 1933 at the age of 63 when the USS Akron, a helium-filled rigid airship, crashed into the Atlantic Sea off the coast of New Jersey due to one of the most violent storms of the previous decade. He is buried with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery: Section 3, Lot 1655-A.
