Andrew McKee
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Andrew I. McKee (February 17, 1896 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
- January 24, 1976) was a pioneer in modern submarine
design and development. The destroyer USS Schenck (DD-159)
was named for his maternal great-grandfather, Admiral James F. Schenck
. McKee graduated from the United States Naval Academy
at the top of his class in navigation and was commissioned an Ensign
in March 1917. He served with USS Huntington
until he severely injured both legs in a fall from the mast in August 1917. He was declared unfit for sea duty and assigned first to the Naval Academy as a navigation and physics instructor and then as the supervisory naval constructor at Bethlehem Steel Corporation Fore River Shipyard
in Quincy, Massachusetts
pending admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT). In 1921 he received a Master's Degree
in Naval Architecture
from MIT and was assigned to the Navy Construction Corps.
McKee was assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
following graduation and then transferred to the New London, Connecticut
submarine base in 1924. McKee became ship type assistant of submarine design for the Navy Bureau of Construction and Repair in Washington from 1926 to 1930, where he directed the design of USS Dolphin (SS-169)
from which evolved the successful fleet submarines of World War II
. McKee served as new construction superintendent at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
form 1930 to 1934 and as hull superintendent at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
from 1934 to 1938. In the latter post, he oversaw introduction of the all-welded pressure hull techniques pioneered building USS Sturgeon (SS-187)
.
Captain McKee worked in submarine planning, design and construction as the Design Superintendent of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from 1938 to 1945 and was awarded a Legion of Merit
for his service there. His accomplishments at Portsmouth included receipt of a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for participation in the rescue and salvage of USS Squalus (SS-192) in 1939, receipt of the Linnard Foundation award in 1940, and implementation the pressure hull improvements allowing Balao class submarine
s to safely dive to 600 feet, rather than the nominal 300-foot depth limitation for Gato class submarine
s.
In 1945, he joined the staff of Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet, as senior assistant fleet maintenance officer aboard USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7)
. Mount McKinley was anchored at Kerama Retto
, where Captain McKee was given primary responsibility for inspecting ships damaged during the Battle of Okinawa
, and deciding which ones should be repaired. He was awarded a Bronze Star
, and also a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit for this assignment.
Captain McKee was promoted to Commodore and took command of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard following VJ-Day. He retired from active duty of July 1, 1947 and was advanced to Rear Admiral on the basis of his combat decorations. Following retirement, Admiral McKee worked as a research and design engineer for the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics
corporation in Connecticut
until 1961 and as a senior technical advisor until 1974. He was awarded the David W. Taylor
Medal of the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers in 1956.
He died unexpectedly on January 24, 1976 during surgery in New York City.
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Lawrenceburg is a city in Anderson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,505 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Anderson County...
- January 24, 1976) was a pioneer in modern submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
design and development. The destroyer USS Schenck (DD-159)
USS Schenck (DD-159)
USS Schenck was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Rear Admiral James F. Schenck, USN ....
was named for his maternal great-grandfather, Admiral James F. Schenck
James F. Schenck
James Findlay Schenck was a rear admiral in the United States Navy who served in the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.-Biography:...
. McKee 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...
at the top of his class in navigation and was commissioned an Ensign
Ensign
An 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...
in March 1917. He served with USS Huntington
USS West Virginia (ACR-5)
The first USS West Virginia , also referred to as "Armored Cruiser No. 5", and later renamed Huntington , was a United States Navy armored cruiser....
until he severely injured both legs in a fall from the mast in August 1917. He was declared unfit for sea duty and assigned first to the Naval Academy as a navigation and physics instructor and then as the supervisory naval constructor at Bethlehem Steel Corporation Fore River Shipyard
Fore River Shipyard
The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved...
in Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
pending admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT). In 1921 he received a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Naval Architecture
Naval architecture
Naval architecture is an engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction, maintenance and operation of marine vessels and structures. Naval architecture involves basic and applied research, design, development, design evaluation and calculations during all stages of the life of a...
from MIT and was assigned to the Navy Construction Corps.
McKee was assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
following graduation and then transferred to the New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
submarine base in 1924. McKee became ship type assistant of submarine design for the Navy Bureau of Construction and Repair in Washington from 1926 to 1930, where he directed the design of USS Dolphin (SS-169)
USS Dolphin (SS-169)
USS Dolphin , a submarine and one of the "V-boats", was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for that aquatic mammal. She also bore the name V-7 and the classifications SF-10 and SSC-3 prior to her commissioning. She was launched on 6 March 1932 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard,...
from which evolved the successful fleet submarines of 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...
. McKee served as new construction superintendent at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995...
form 1930 to 1934 and as hull superintendent at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located 25 miles northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates the peninsula shipyard from the main portion of the...
from 1934 to 1938. In the latter post, he oversaw introduction of the all-welded pressure hull techniques pioneered building USS Sturgeon (SS-187)
USS Sturgeon (SS-187)
USS Sturgeon , a Salmon-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the sturgeon.Her keel was laid down on October 27, 1936 by the Mare Island Navy Yard. She was launched on March 15, 1938 sponsored by Mrs. Charles S. Freeman; and commissioned on June 25, 1938...
.
Captain McKee worked in submarine planning, design and construction as the Design Superintendent of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from 1938 to 1945 and was awarded a Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
for his service there. His accomplishments at Portsmouth included receipt of a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for participation in the rescue and salvage of USS Squalus (SS-192) in 1939, receipt of the Linnard Foundation award in 1940, and implementation the pressure hull improvements allowing Balao class submarine
Balao class submarine
The Balao class was a successful design of United States Navy submarine used during World War II, and with 122 units built, the largest class of submarines in the United States Navy. An improvement on the earlier Gato class, the boats had slight internal differences...
s to safely dive to 600 feet, rather than the nominal 300-foot depth limitation for Gato class submarine
Gato class submarine
The United States Navy Gato class submarine formed the core of the submarine service that was largely responsible for the destruction of the Japanese merchant marine and a large portion of the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II...
s.
In 1945, he joined the staff of Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet, as senior assistant fleet maintenance officer aboard USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7)
USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7)
USS Mount McKinley was the lead ship of the Mount McKinley-class of amphibious force command ships. She was named after the highest mountain in North America...
. Mount McKinley was anchored at Kerama Retto
Kerama Retto
The are a group of 22 islands located southwest of Okinawa Island in Japan. Four of the islands are inhabited:,., and. The islands are within Shimajiri District. The Kerama-shotō coral reef is a Ramsar Site....
, where Captain McKee was given primary responsibility for inspecting ships damaged during the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, and deciding which ones should be repaired. He was awarded a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and also a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit for this assignment.
Captain McKee was promoted to Commodore and took command of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard following VJ-Day. He retired from active duty of July 1, 1947 and was advanced to Rear Admiral on the basis of his combat decorations. Following retirement, Admiral McKee worked as a research and design engineer for the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
corporation in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
until 1961 and as a senior technical advisor until 1974. He was awarded the David W. Taylor
David W. Taylor
Rear Admiral David Watson Taylor, USN was a naval architect and engineer of the United States Navy. He served during World War I as Chief Constructor of the Navy, and Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair...
Medal of the Society of Naval Architects and Engineers in 1956.
He died unexpectedly on January 24, 1976 during surgery in New York City.