Charles Adams Blakely
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral Charles Adams Blakely (1 October 1879 – 12 September 1950) was the great grandnephew of Capt. Johnston Blakeley
and an officer in the United States Navy
during World War I
and the interwar period
.
Born on October 1, 1879 at Williamsburg, Kentucky
, Blakely graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1897 and, in the summer of 1898, served with the 2d Kentucky Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish–American War. Appointed a naval cadet
in September 1899, Blakely graduated from the Naval Academy
on February 2, 1903 and, after serving two years at sea as a passed naval cadet, was commissioned ensign in 1905 to date from February 3. Between 1903 and 1907, he served successively in the frigate , Baltimore (Cruiser No. 3)
, Cleveland (Cruiser No. 19)
, Denver (Cruiser No. 14), and the yacht . Command of Thornton (Torpedo Boat No. 33)
and Macdonough (Torpedo-boat Destroyer No. 9)
followed. In December 1910, he became officer in charge of the machinist
school at the Charleston Navy Yard. Between June 1911 and October 1914, Blakely commanded the Reserve Torpedo Flotillas and the protected cruiser
. From October 1914 to September 1916, he served ashore at the New York Navy Yard. At the end of that assignment, he assumed command of Rowan (Destroyer No. 64)
.
During World War I
, Blakely commanded O'Brien (Destroyer No. 51)
, serving in the waters surrounding the British Isles
.
At the end of the war, he went to Washington
where he served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
. In December 1920, Blakely became the engineering officer on the staff of the Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet. He concluded that assignment in October 1922 and moved to duty as inspector of ordnance at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Lake Denmark
, New Jersey. In 1925, he began a year as Commanding Officer of the battleship . Leaving that billet in August 1926, Blakely embarked upon a two-year tour of duty commanding the Destroyer Squadron, Asiatic Fleet. In July 1928, he returned to the United States to take up duty in the Bureau of Navigation
as president of the Naval Reserve Inspection Board.
Blakely remained at the Bureau of Navigation for more than three years. He was relieved in December 1931 and, in January 1932, reported for duty at the Naval Air Station Pensacola
, Florida
, as a student. Upon completion of the observer course in May 1932, he was designated an aviation observer. During that same month, Blakely assumed command of the aircraft carrier , a unit of the Battle Force
based on the west coast. In June 1934, he relinquished command of the aircraft carrier and proceeded to Newport, Rhode Island
, where he spent the next 12 months completing the senior course at the Naval War College
. Blakely returned to Pensacola in June 1935 to take additional flight training. On March 10, 1936, at the age of 54, he received his designation as a naval aviator
. Two months later, he became commanding officer of the Pensacola facility.
Rear Admiral Blakely was detached from duty at Pensacola late in the summer of 1937. In August of that year, he became Commander, Carrier Division (CarDiv) 2, and presided over that organization until the end of the year, ultimately flying his flag in . In January 1938, he fleeted up to Commander Aircraft, Scouting Force
, a post he held for the next 18 months. In June 1939, Blakely moved back to the west coast assuming concurrent command of Aircraft, Battle Force, and of CarDiv 2 with the rank of Vice Admiral. Once again he wore his flag in Yorktown. Blakely’s last active assignment was Commandant, 11th Naval District, with additional duty as the Commanding Officer, Naval Operating Base, San Diego. Ill health brought his relief from active duty on December 9, 1941 and, on October 1, 1942, his transfer to the retired list.
He died in San Diego on 12 September 1950.
Johnston Blakeley
Johnston Blakeley also spelled Johnston Blakely was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812. He is considered to be the most successful American naval officer of that period....
and an officer in the United States Navy
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...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the interwar period
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
.
Born on October 1, 1879 at Williamsburg, Kentucky
Williamsburg, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,143 people, 1,928 households, and 1,127 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,102.5 people per square mile . There were 2,118 housing units at an average density of 454.0 per square mile...
, Blakely graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1897 and, in the summer of 1898, served with the 2d Kentucky Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish–American War. Appointed a naval cadet
Officer Cadet
Officer cadet is a rank held by military and merchant navy cadets during their training to become commissioned officers and merchant navy officers, respectively. The term officer trainee is used interchangeably in some countries...
in September 1899, Blakely graduated from the 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...
on February 2, 1903 and, after serving two years at sea as a passed naval cadet, was commissioned ensign in 1905 to date from February 3. Between 1903 and 1907, he served successively in the frigate , Baltimore (Cruiser No. 3)
USS Baltimore (C-3)
The fourth USS Baltimore was a United States Navy cruiser, the second protected cruiser to be built by an American yard. Like the previous one, , the design was commissioned from the British company of W...
, Cleveland (Cruiser No. 19)
USS Cleveland (C-19)
USS Cleveland was a United States Navy Denver-class protected cruiser.She was launched 28 September 1901 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, sponsored by Miss R...
, Denver (Cruiser No. 14), and the yacht . Command of Thornton (Torpedo Boat No. 33)
USS Thornton (TB-33)
The first Thornton was laid down on 16 March 1899 at Richmond, Va., by the William R. Trigg Co.; lanched on 15 May 1900; sponsored by Miss Mary Thornton Davis; and commissioned on 9 June 1902, Ens. Samuel Brown Thomas in command....
and Macdonough (Torpedo-boat Destroyer No. 9)
USS Macdonough (DD-9)
The first USS Macdonough was a in the United States Navy. She was named for Commodore Thomas MacdonoughMacdonough was laid down on 10 April 1899 by the Fore River Ship & Engine Company, Weymouth, Massachusetts; launched on 24 December 1900; sponsored by Miss Lucy Shaler Macdonough, granddaughter...
followed. In December 1910, he became officer in charge of the machinist
Machinist
A machinist is a person who uses machine tools to make or modify parts, primarily metal parts, a process known as machining. This is accomplished by using machine tools to cut away excess material much as a woodcarver cuts away excess wood to produce his work. In addition to metal, the parts may...
school at the Charleston Navy Yard. Between June 1911 and October 1914, Blakely commanded the Reserve Torpedo Flotillas and the protected cruiser
Protected cruiser
The protected cruiser is a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because its armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above...
. From October 1914 to September 1916, he served ashore at the New York Navy Yard. At the end of that assignment, he assumed command of Rowan (Destroyer No. 64)
USS Rowan (DD-64)
USS Rowan was a of the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship named for Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan .Rowan was laid down on 10 May 1915 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Massachusetts; launched 23 March 1916, sponsored by Miss Louise McL...
.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Blakely commanded O'Brien (Destroyer No. 51)
USS O'Brien (DD-51)
USS O'Brien was the lead ship of her class of destroyer built for the United States Navy prior to the American entry into World War I...
, serving in the waters surrounding the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
.
At the end of the war, he went to Washington
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....
where he served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
. In December 1920, Blakely became the engineering officer on the staff of the Commander, Destroyer Squadrons, Atlantic Fleet. He concluded that assignment in October 1922 and moved to duty as inspector of ordnance at the Naval Ammunition Depot, Lake Denmark
Picatinny Arsenal
The Picatinny Arsenal is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on a lot in northern New Jersey near Lake Denmark. The Arsenal is the headquarters of the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center...
, New Jersey. In 1925, he began a year as Commanding Officer of the battleship . Leaving that billet in August 1926, Blakely embarked upon a two-year tour of duty commanding the Destroyer Squadron, Asiatic Fleet. In July 1928, he returned to the United States to take up duty in the Bureau of Navigation
Bureau of Navigation
The Bureau of Navigation was an agency of the U.S. government established in 1884 to enforce laws relating to the construction, equipment, operation, inspection, safety, and documentation of merchant vessels. The Bureau of Navigation was an agency of the U.S. government established in 1884 to...
as president of the Naval Reserve Inspection Board.
Blakely remained at the Bureau of Navigation for more than three years. He was relieved in December 1931 and, in January 1932, reported for duty at the Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, as a student. Upon completion of the observer course in May 1932, he was designated an aviation observer. During that same month, Blakely assumed command of the aircraft carrier , a unit of the Battle Force
Battle Fleet
The United States Battle Fleet or Battle Force was part of the organization of the United States Navy from 1922 to 1941.The General Order of 6 December 1922 organized the United States Fleet, with the Battle Fleet as the Pacific presence. This fleet comprised the main body of ships in the Navy,...
based on the west coast. In June 1934, he relinquished command of the aircraft carrier and proceeded to 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...
, where he spent the next 12 months completing the senior course at 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...
. Blakely returned to Pensacola in June 1935 to take additional flight training. On March 10, 1936, at the age of 54, he received his designation as a naval aviator
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
. Two months later, he became commanding officer of the Pensacola facility.
Rear Admiral Blakely was detached from duty at Pensacola late in the summer of 1937. In August of that year, he became Commander, Carrier Division (CarDiv) 2, and presided over that organization until the end of the year, ultimately flying his flag in . In January 1938, he fleeted up to Commander Aircraft, Scouting Force
Scouting Fleet
The Scouting Fleet was part of the United States Fleet in the United States Navy, and renamed the Scouting Force in 1930.Established in 1922, the fleet consisted mainly of older battleships and initially operated in the Atlantic...
, a post he held for the next 18 months. In June 1939, Blakely moved back to the west coast assuming concurrent command of Aircraft, Battle Force, and of CarDiv 2 with the rank of Vice Admiral. Once again he wore his flag in Yorktown. Blakely’s last active assignment was Commandant, 11th Naval District, with additional duty as the Commanding Officer, Naval Operating Base, San Diego. Ill health brought his relief from active duty on December 9, 1941 and, on October 1, 1942, his transfer to the retired list.
He died in San Diego on 12 September 1950.