Ephraim P. Holmes
Encyclopedia
Ephraim Paul Holmes was a four-star admiral 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...

 who served as commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic from 1967 to 1970.

Early career

Born in Downsville, New York
Downsville, New York
Downsville, New York is a hamlet and former village within the town of Colchester in Delaware County, New York.It is the site of the Downsville Bridge, a covered bridge and the historic Union Free School....

 to Edward Holmes and Dolly Hathaway, he 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...

 in 1930.

Commissioned ensign on June 5, 1930, his first assignment was aboard the light cruiser Milwaukee
USS Milwaukee (CL-5)
thumb|300px|right|Launching of MilwaukeeUSS Milwaukee was an Omaha-class light cruiser in the United States Navy. She was the third Navy ship named for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin...

. In January 1931, he transferred to the newly commissioned heavy cruiser Augusta
USS Augusta (CA-31)
USS Augusta was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, notable for service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II, and for her occasional use as a presidential flagship carrying both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman under wartime conditions...

, remaining with the vessel for its shakedown cruise and subsequent operations with the Scouting Force off the East Coast.

Detached in May 1932, he was sent to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

 waters to join the heavy cruiser Houston
USS Houston (CA-30)
USS Houston , nicknamed the "Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast", was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy...

, flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet
United States Asiatic Fleet
The United States Asiatic Fleet was part of the U.S. Navy. Preceding the World War II era, until 1942, the fleet protected the Philippines.Originally the Asiatic Squadron, it was upgraded to fleet status in 1902. In 1907, the fleet became the First Squadron of the Pacific Fleet. However, on 28...

, which was operating near Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...

 to protect American interests in the aftermath of the Sino-Japanese incident
January 28 Incident
The January 28 Incident was a short war between the armies of the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan, before official hostilities of the Second Sino-Japanese War commenced in 1937.- Naming :...

 of 1932. From May 1933 to July 1935 he was assigned as gunnery officer and first lieutenant of the destroyer Peary
USS Peary (DD-226)
USS Peary was a in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Admiral Robert Edwin Peary.Peary was laid down by William Cramp and Sons of Philadelphia on 9 September 1919; launched on 6 April 1920; sponsored by Mrs...

 for duty with the Yangtze River Patrol.

In 1936, he returned to the United States for instruction in applied communications at the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...

 in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...

. In July 1938, he reported aboard the battleship Maryland
USS Maryland (BB-46)
USS Maryland , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the seventh state.Her keel was laid down 24 April 1917 by Newport News Shipbuilding Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 20 March 1920, and sponsored by Mrs. E. Brook Lee, wife of the...

, serving as turret officer for the first year, then as fire control and plotting room officer.

World War II

In January 1941 he was assigned as aide and flag lieutenant to Commander Battleships, Battle Force. He was present on the signal bridge of the battleship Maryland during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...

, and later participated in the Battles of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...

 and Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...

. In September 1942 he became aide and flag secretary to Commander Battleship Division Four, whose vessels supported the actions off Guadalcanal and the Santa Cruz Islands
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the , was the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the fourth major naval engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial...

.

In 1943 he was assigned to fitting out duty in the new destroyer Stockham
USS Stockham (DD-683)
USS Stockham , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Gy.Sgt. Fred W. Stockham, USMC ....

 at the Bethlehem Steel Company in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...

. He assumed command of the destroyer at its commissioning on February 11, 1944. Stockham conducted shakedown training off the west coast before departing for the Pacific theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....

 in April. Over the next year, Holmes would be repeatedly cited for exceptional performance in combat as Stockhams commanding officer.

In June and July 1944, Stockham was attached to Destroyer Squadron Fifty-Six for the invasion of the Mariana Islands
Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
The Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, also known as Operation Forager, was an offensive launched by United States forces against Imperial Japanese forces in the Mariana Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean between June and November, 1944 during the Pacific War...

. "Cool and capable in directing the delivery of accurate and effective gunfire from his ship, [Holmes] rendered valuable assistance in the destruction of enemy troops and shore installations and thereby contributed materially to the success of the landing operations."

He was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

 for his actions on June 19, 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea
Battle of the Philippine Sea
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was a decisive naval battle of World War II which effectively eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. It took place during the United States' amphibious invasion of the Mariana Islands during the Pacific War...

. "Stationed as a picket in the direct line of enemy approach, [Holmes] fought off repeated dive bomber and torpedo attacks and bore the brunt of responsibility for breaking up the approaches. Shooting down three enemy planes, damaging two more and turning away many others without casualty to his ship, he assisted materially in disrupting the enemy attack."

From September to November 1944, he led Stockham in combat operations against Japanese forces on Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...

, Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...

, Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...

, Nansei Shoto, and Formosa
Formosa
Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...

; and during the Battle for Leyte Gulf. "Directing his ship as part of a Fast Carrier Task Force
Fast Carrier Task Force
The Fast Carrier Task Force was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II.The Fast Carrier Task Force was known under two designations. The Navy made use of two sets of upper command structures for planning the upcoming operations...

 Unit, [Holmes] provided a screen of heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire, assisting materially in repelling four determined enemy aircraft attacks and in shooting down at least one enemy plane."

He was detached from Stockham in January 1945.

Postwar

In February 1945 he reported as officer in charge of general line and applied communications curricula at the Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained until July 1947, when he joined the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as assistant chief of staff for communications. He was promoted to the permanent rank of captain on July 22, 1948, having served in that rank on a temporary basis from December 10, 1945 to January 1, 1948.

He was a student 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...

 in 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...

 from July 1950 to June 1951, then was appointed to teach at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....

.

In August 1952 he assumed command of the attack transport Sanborn
USS Sanborn (APA-193)
USS Sanborn was a Haskell-class attack transport acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II for the task of transporting troops to and from combat areas.- World War II service :...

, which conducted landing exercises at Vieques, Puerto Rico
Vieques, Puerto Rico
Vieques , in full Isla de Vieques, is an island–municipality of Puerto Rico in the northeastern Caribbean, part of an island grouping sometimes known as the Spanish Virgin Islands...

 and Onslow Beach, North Carolina as part of Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. He was detached in July 1953 for duty as operations, planning and training officer on the staff of Commander Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. In October 1955 he was assigned as commanding officer of the cruiser Northampton
USS Northampton (CLC-1)
The third USS Northampton was a US Navy command light cruiser . She was laid down as an Oregon City class heavy cruiser , on 31 August 1944 by the Fore River Yard, Bethlehem Steel Corp., Quincy, Mass. Work suspended between 11 August 1945 and 1 July 1948; she was launched as CLC–1, on 27 January...

.

Flag officer

In early 1957, he reported as special assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations (plans and policy). He was promoted to rear admiral on July 1, 1957. He became Commander Cruiser Division Four in 1959, then returned to the Navy Department
United States Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy of the United States of America was established by an Act of Congress on 30 April 1798, to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy and, from 1834 onwards, for the United States Marine Corps, and when directed by the President, of the...

 in March 1960 as assistant chief of naval operations (general planning) and director, General Planning Group.

Advanced to vice admiral on February 25, 1963, he assumed command of Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet in March, then served as Commander, First Fleet from January 25, 1964 to July 18, 1964.

From August 5, 1964 to June 3, 1967, he was director of Navy program planning and scientific officer to the Center for Naval Analyses
Center for Naval Analyses
CNA's Center for Naval Analyses is a federally funded research and development center for the Navy and the Marine Corps. It also provides research and analysis services to other military and government agencies to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S...

 in the office of the chief of naval operations. As principal advisor to 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...

 on programming matters, he was recognized for his expertise on the Department of Defense Programming System and its application within the Department of the Navy. "Through his extensive knowledge of the complex development of this system...Vice Admiral Holmes rendered valuable service in implementing organizational improvements in the areas of programming, planning, systems analysis, and financial management within the Department of the Navy, thereby contributing significantly to the United States mission in the Southeast Asian conflict
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

."

He was promoted to admiral upon succeeding Admiral Thomas H. Moorer as Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) on June 17, 1967, with concurrent appointment as Commander in Chief, Atlantic Command
United States Atlantic Command
United States Atlantic Command was a Unified Combatant Command of the United States Department of Defense. In 1999, U.S. Atlantic Command was renamed and given a new mission as United States Joint Forces Command.-History:USLANTCOM was active from the 1947 to 1993 as a primarily U.S...

 (CINCLANT) and NATO Commander in Chief, Western Atlantic and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic (SACLANT). As CINCLANTFLT, he was responsible for maintaining the combat readiness, training and logistical support of some 220,000 people. He relinquished command to Admiral Charles K. Duncan
Charles K. Duncan
Charles Kenney Duncan was a United States Navy four star admiral who served as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic/Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1970 to 1972.-Military career:Duncan was born on December 7, 1911 in Nicholasville,...

 on September 30, 1970 and retired on October 1.

Personal life

After retiring from the Navy, he was appointed executive director of the Virginia Port Authority
Virginia Port Authority
The Virginia Port Authority is an autonomous agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that owns the Port of Virginia...

 in 1971.

He married the former Nancy Jane Sellers of Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...

 on October 11, 1933, and they had two children, Diane Hathaway Fletcher and Navy officer Ephraim Paul Holmes, Jr. He died at his home in Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...

 at the age of 88, and was buried with his wife in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

His decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...

, awarded for exceptionally meritorious service as director of Navy program planning; the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

, awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during a major engagement with a large enemy Japanese air force between the Philippines and Saipan on June 19, 1944; the 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...

  with Combat "V", awarded for meritorious service as Stockham commanding officer during the assault and capture of enemy Japanese-held islands in June and July 1944; the Gold Star in lieu of the Second Bronze Star Medal, also with Combat "V", awarded for commanding Stockham in operations against enemy Japanese forces from September to November 1944; the Yangtze Service Medal
Yangtze Service Medal
The Yangtze Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1930 for presentation to members of the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps...

; the American Defense Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...

 with Fleet Clasp; the American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...

; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...

 with four engagement stars; the World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...

; the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...

 with bronze star; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars.
  •   Navy Distinguished Service Medal
    Navy Distinguished Service Medal
    The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...

  •   Silver Star
    Silver Star
    The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

  •   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...

  •   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...

     with Valor Device
  •   Yangtze Service Medal
    Yangtze Service Medal
    The Yangtze Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1930 for presentation to members of the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps...

  •   American Defense Service Medal
    American Defense Service Medal
    The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...

     with Fleet Clasp
  •   American Campaign Medal
    American Campaign Medal
    The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...

  •   Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
    The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...

  •   World War II Victory Medal
  •   National Defense Service Medal
    National Defense Service Medal
    The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...

     with bronze star
  •   Philippine Liberation Medal
    Philippine Liberation Medal
    The Philippine Liberation Medal is a military award of the Republic of the Philippines which was created by an order of Commonwealth Army of the Philippines Headquarters on December 20, 1944...

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